Ecological and non-ecological speciation mechanisms

During the past decade, there has been a lot of interest among evolutionary biologists in ecological niche-based) speciation processes, under the scientific umbrella of “The ecological theory of adaptive radiations”. This view is increasingly challenged by new data and new organismal model systems, and the aim of this project is to develop these non-ecological alternatives in to a more coherent framework. This will be achieved by preparing an international symposium and a special journal issue on the topic. In particular, the different and interactive roles of niche conservatism, thermal adaptation and learned mate preferences and their role in speciation will be considered.