Levels of genetic differentiation between populations can be highly variable across the genome, with divergent selection contributing to such heterogeneous genomic divergence. For example, loci under divergent selection and those tightly physically linked to them may exhibit stronger differentiation than neutral regions with weak or no linkage to such loci. Divergent selection can also increase...

Asymmetrical competition determines which of two seed predators drives the evolution of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta ssp. latifolia) cones. Red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are effective preemptive competitors in lodgepole pine forests so that red crossbills (Loxia curvirostra) are uncommon and selection from Tamiasciurus drives cone evolution. When Tamiasciurus are absent, crossbills ...

Divergent natural selection has been shown to promote speciation in many taxa. However, although divergent selection often initiates the process of speciation, it often fails to complete it. Several time-based, geographic and genetic factors have been recognized to explain this variability in how far speciation proceeds. We review here recent evidence indicating that variability in the complete...

Previous studies have shown that a LATER (Linear Approach to Threshold with Ergodic Rate) race model can be used to explain saccadic target selection and latencies. The goal of the present study was to determine whether a comparable model could be applied to the underlying decision-making processes involved in target selection for transient vergence eye movements in rhesus monkeys. Luminance co...

The degree of phenotypic divergence and reproductive isolation between taxon pairs can vary quantitatively, and often increases as evolutionary divergence proceeds through various stages, from polymorphism to population differentiation, ecotype and race formation, speciation, and post-speciational divergence. Although divergent natural selection promotes divergence, it does not always result in...

Background: Divergent natural selection between ecologically different environments often drives speciation. An unanswered question concerns the importance of sexual selection in generating sexual isolation during this process. We illustrate that four distinct mechanisms can drive sexual isolation: (I) divergent sexual selection, (II) uniform sexual selection, (III) intrapopulation assortative ...