Choosing the fittest as a speciation mechanism

Abstract: When a population inhabits an inhomogeneous environment, the fitness value of traits can vary with the position in the environment. Gene flow caused by random mating can nevertheless prevent that a sexually reproducing population splits into different species under such circumstances. This is the problem of sympatric speciation. However, mating need not be entirely random. Here, we present a model where the individually advantageous preference for partners of high fitness can lead to genetic clustering as a precondition for speciation. In simulations, in appropriate parameter regimes, our model leads to the rapid fixation of the corresponding alleles.