Variable genomic patterns of hybridization in an expanding hybrid zone
of damselflies
Abstract
The outcome of hybridization is of major interest in evolutionary and
conservation biology. Here, we investigate (i) the genomic signal of the
hybridization dynamics, (ii) the strength of reproductive barriers
preventing copulation in heterospecific and hybrid crosses, and (iii)
the population dynamics (stability of species proportions) of the two
damselfly species Ischnura elegans and I. graellsii in two differently
aged Spanish hybrid regions. RAD sequencing in these hybrid regions and
in allopatric populations was used to generate 5,702 SNPs to quantify
population diversity and population differentiation, and a subset of 381
species-specific SNPs to analyze individual ancestry and the proportion
of individuals in different hybrid classes. Our individual ancestry
results showed the presence of F1 and F2 hybrids, in line with on-going
hybridization and bidirectional backcrossing in both hybrid regions,
with almost complete absence of genetically pure I. elegans and I.
graellsii. Different admixture-class distributions were in part
explained by 1) different mean strength of reproductive barriers in the
hybrid regions, with stronger barrier in the older hybrid region, 2)
local dynamics (continuous recolonization events), 3) proximity to
introduction site, and 4) time elapsed since colonization. Consistent
with theoretical expectations, introgression maintained (in the younger
hybrid region) or increased genetic diversity (in the older hybrid
region), and reduced genetic differentiation between local populations
in both hybrid regions. Whether this will facilitate the ongoing range
expansion of I. elegans in Spain is an interesting avenue for future
research.