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Genomic signals of admixture and reinforcement between two closely related species of European sepsid flies
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  • Athene Giesen,
  • Wolf Blanckenhorn,
  • Martin Schäfer,
  • Kentaro K. Shimizu,
  • Rie Shimizu-Inatsugi,
  • Bernhard Misof,
  • Oliver Niehuis,
  • L. Podsiadlowski,
  • Heidi Lischer,
  • Simon Aeschbacher,
  • Martin Kapun
Athene Giesen
University of Zurich

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Wolf Blanckenhorn
University of Zurich
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Martin Schäfer
University of Zurich
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Kentaro K. Shimizu
University of Zurich
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Rie Shimizu-Inatsugi
University of Zürich
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Bernhard Misof
Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig
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Oliver Niehuis
Albert-Ludwigs-Universität Freiburg
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L. Podsiadlowski
Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig
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Heidi Lischer
University of Zurich
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Simon Aeschbacher
University of Zurich
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Martin Kapun
Natural History Museum Vienna
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Abstract

Interspecific gene flow by hybridization may weaken species barriers and adaptive divergence, but can also initiate reinforcement of reproductive isolation trough natural and sexual selection. The extent of interspecific gene flow and its consequences for the initiation and maintenance of species barriers in natural systems remain poorly understood, however. To assess genome-wide patterns of gene flow between the two closely related European dung fly species Sepsis cynipsea and Sepsis neocynipsea (Diptera: Sepsidae), we tested for historical gene flow with the aid of ABBA-BABA test using whole-genome resequencing data from pooled DNA of male specimens originating from natural and laboratory populations. We contrasted genome-wide variation in DNA sequence differences between samples from sympatric populations of the two species in France and Switzerland with that of interspecific differences between pairs of samples involving allopatric populations from Estonia and Italy. In the French Cevennes, we detected a relative excess of DNA sequence identity, suggesting interspecific gene flow in sympatry. In contrast, at two sites in Switzerland, we observed a relative depletion of DNA sequence identity compatible with reinforcement of species boundaries in sympatry. Our results suggest that the species boundaries between S. cynipsea and S. neocynipsea in Europe depend on the eco-geographic context.