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Abstract DOES COLOR PATTERN DRIVE SPECIATION IN HYPOPLECTRUS CORAL REEF FISHES? Eldredge Bermingham1 and Oscar Puebla2 Theory shows that speciation in the presence of gene flow occurs only under narrow conditions. One of the most favorable scenarios for speciation with gene flow is established when a single trait is both under disruptive natural selection and used to cue assortative mating. We demonstrate the potential for a single trait, color pattern, to drive incipient speciation in the genus Hypoplectrus (Serranidae), coral reef fishes known for their striking color polymorphism. We provide data demonstrating that sympatric Hypoplectrus color morphs mate assortatively and are genetically distinct. Furthermore, we identify ecological conditions conducive to disruptive selection on color pattern by presenting behavioral evidence of aggressive mimicry, whereby predatory Hypoplectrus color morphs mimic the color patterns of non-predatory reef fish species to increase their success approaching and attacking prey. We propose that color-based assortative mating, combined with disruptive selection on color pattern, is driving speciation in Hypoplectrus coral reef fishes.
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