Digest: The role of postzygotic isolation in Mimulus speciation

Recently diverged species often show incomplete reproductive isolation and subsequently experience hybridization and introgression. The plant genus Mimulus includes many such examples of closely related taxa that prove useful for studying incipient speciation. However, Sandstedt et al. show that in contrast to other Mimulus species, species of the M. tilingii complex are characterized by strong postzygotic isolation mediated by multiple barriers. This finding highlights the diverse speciation histories of related plant groups.

Automated summary

Recently diverged species often exhibit incomplete reproductive isolation, leading to hybridization and gene flow. However, the M. tilingii complex within the plant genus Mimulus differs from other species by showing strong postzygotic isolation mediated by multiple barriers, highlighting the diverse speciation histories within related plant groups.