Fertile approaches to dissecting mechanisms of premating and postmating prezygotic reproductive isolation

In sexually reproducing organisms, speciation involves the evolution of mechanisms that confer reproductive isolation between diverging lineages. Here we discuss recent research on the molecular basis of traits that mediate these barriers during premating and postmating, prezygotic stages of reproduction. In some cases, the specific loci underlying the expression of reproductive barriers are known, most notably when premating isolation is due to flower color or scent differences, and when postmating isolation is due to divergent gamete signaling. In addition, emerging work in molecular biology and genomics is revealing the mechanistic basis of prezygotic reproductive traits within species, and therefore establishing clear candidates for future work examining their potential role in reproductive isolation between species.