Opposing patterns of intraspecific and interspecific differentiation in sex chromosomes and autosomes

Linking intraspecific and interspecific divergence is an important challenge in speciation research. X chromosomes are expected to evolve faster than autosomes and disproportionately contribute to reproductive barriers, and comparing genetic variation on X and autosomal markers within and between species can elucidate evolutionary processes that shape genome variation. We performed RADseq on a 16-population transect of two closely-related Australian cricket species, Teleogryllus commodus and T. oceanicus, covering allopatry and sympatry. This classic study system for sexual selection provides a rare exception to Haldane’s rule, as hybrid females are sterile. We found no evidence of recent introgression, despite the fact that the species co-exist in overlapping habitats in the wild and interbreed in the laboratory. Putative X-linked loci showed greater differentiation between species compared to autosomal loci. However, population differentiation within species was unexpectedly lower on ...