Reproductive interference

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Reproductive interference describes the sexual interactions between animal species in which the fitness of at least one species is reduced. In addition to the well-researched hybridization of animal species, this also includes interactions during communication (overlapping signals), courtship and mating attempts with other species, as well as interspecific mating without hybridization. The loss of fitness is particularly high in the latter, since it wastes gametes and time without genetic information being passed on to the next generation.

Ecological importance

Reproductive interference is considered to be a major interaction that can prevent species from coexisting. The reason for this is that it has a direct influence on the success of reproduction. In contrast to competition , no shared limited resource is required. The displacement of species through reproductive interference is also known as “reproductive exclusion” or “sexual exclusion”.

Evolutionary significance

Due to the high loss of fitness due to reproductive interference, a strong selection pressure on partner finding behavior can be assumed. One possible consequence is a change in the signals used to find a partner in populations or areas where two sexually interacting species occur syntopically . This effect is known as a “reproductive shift in characteristics ”.

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Gröning J. & Hochkirch A. (2008): Reproductive interference between animal species. The Quarterly Review of Biology 83: 257-282
  2. ^ Pfennig DW & KS Pfennig (2012): Development and evolution of character displacement. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences doi : 10.1111 / j.1749-6632.2011.06381.x .
  3. ^ Hochkirch A. , Gröning J. & Bücker A. (2007): Sympatry with the devil - Reproductive interference could hamper species coexistence. Journal of Animal Ecology 76: 633-642
  4. ^ Pfennig DW & KS Pfennig (2012): Development and evolution of character displacement. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences doi : 10.1111 / j.1749-6632.2011.06381.x .