Impact of phenotypic plasticity on tempo and mode of speciation processes in quasi-natural selection environments

Supported by DFG grant SCHU 2689/1-1

The role of phenotypic plasticity in speciation processes (i.e. the ability of a single genotype to  produce several phenotypes) is not yet fully understood: On the one hand, it may dampen the impact of disruptive or directional selection by producing adapted phenotypes without a heritable change in the genotype. On the other hand, it may facilitate population divergence because it enables an instant response to environmental changes and may bring a population in the realm of a new adaptive peak. Whereas theoretical studies have addressed this discrepancy, crucial aspects of the role of phenotypic plasticity during the establishment of reproductive isolation have not been tested yet experimentally. This project aims at studying the role of phenotypic plasticity in speciation processes. In particular we are interested in testing whether the differences in phenotypic plasticity among conspecific populations will be mirrored in the tempo of population divergence.