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Hybrid zone analysis confirms cryptic species of banded newt and does not support competitive displacement since secondary contact
  • +8
  • Konstantinos Kalaentzis,
  • Jan Arntzen,
  • Aziz Avci,
  • Victor van den Berg,
  • Wouter Beukema,
  • James France,
  • Kurtuluş Olgun,
  • Isolde van Riemsdijk ,
  • Nazan Üzüm,
  • Manon C. de Visser,
  • Ben Wielstra
Konstantinos Kalaentzis
Leiden University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jan Arntzen
Leiden University
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Aziz Avci
Aydın Adnan Menderes University
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Victor van den Berg
Leiden University
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Wouter Beukema
Reptile, Amphibian and Fish Conservation Netherlands (RAVON)
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James France
Leiden University
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Kurtuluş Olgun
Aydın Adnan Menderes University
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Isolde van Riemsdijk
Naturalis Biodiversity Center
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Nazan Üzüm
Aydın Adnan Menderes University
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Manon C. de Visser
Leiden University
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Ben Wielstra
Leiden University
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Abstract

When two putative cryptic species meet in nature, hybrid zone analysis can be used to estimate the extent of gene flow between them. Two recently recognized cryptic species of banded newt (genus Ommatotriton) are suspected to meet in parapatry in Anatolia but a formal hybrid zone analysis has never been conducted. We sample populations throughout the range, with a focus on the supposed contact zone, and genotype them for 31 nuclear DNA SNP markers and mtDNA. We determine the degree of genetic admixture, introgression and niche overlap. We reveal an extremely narrow hybrid zone, suggesting strong selection against hybrids, in line with species status. The hybrid zone does not appear to be positioned at an ecological barrier and there is significant niche overlap. Therefore, the hybrid zone is best classified as a tension zone, maintained by intrinsic selection against hybrids. While the two banded newt species can evidently backcross, we see negligible introgression and the pattern is symmetric, which we interpret as supporting that the hybrid zone has been practically stationary since its origin (while extensive hybrid zone movement has been suggested in other newt genera in the region). Our study illustrates the use of hybrid zone analysis to test cryptic species status.
12 Jun 2023Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
12 Jun 2023Submission Checks Completed
12 Jun 2023Assigned to Editor
16 Jun 2023Reviewer(s) Assigned
14 Jul 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
26 Jul 2023Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
31 Jul 20231st Revision Received
03 Aug 2023Submission Checks Completed
03 Aug 2023Assigned to Editor
03 Aug 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
08 Aug 2023Editorial Decision: Accept