Final Report Summary - ADAPTIVE SPECIATION (Evolution of reproductive barriers and its implications for adaptive speciation)
The project objectives were to test the contributions of genetic differentiation and phenotypic plasticity to both adaptation and reproductive isolation between the E and S morphs of l. saxatilis using three approaches:
1. analyse transects on two separate small islands, using numerous amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) markers and morphometric analysis in order to obtain estimates of gene flow and selection,
2. determine the contribution of plasticity to local adaptation and assortative mating using snails reared under experimental conditions, and
3. test for the possibility of enhanced assortative mating, i.e. reinforcement, in the centre of the hybrid zone between morphs.