Evolutionary importance of intraspecific variation in sex pheromones.

Chiara De Pasqual, Astrid T Groot, Johanna Mappes, Emily Burdfield-Steel

Trends in ecology & evolution 2021 Sep

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Sex pheromones in many insect species are important species-recognition signals that attract conspecifics and inhibit attraction between heterospecifics; therefore, sex pheromones have predominantly been considered to evolve due to interactions between species. Recent research, however, is uncovering roles for these signals in mate choice, and that variation within and between populations can be drivers of species evolution. Variation in pheromone communication channels arises from a combination of context-dependent, condition-dependent, or genetic mechanisms in both signalers and receivers. Variation can affect mate choice and thus gene flow between individuals and populations, affecting species' evolution. The complex interactions between intraspecific and interspecific selection forces calls for more integrative studies to understand the evolution of sex pheromone communication. Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Citation

Chiara De Pasqual, Astrid T Groot, Johanna Mappes, Emily Burdfield-Steel. Evolutionary importance of intraspecific variation in sex pheromones. Trends in ecology & evolution. 2021 Sep;36(9):848-859