Understanding the role of sexual selection in speciation by studying the secondary sexual traits of the Drosophila Melanogaster species

Sexual selection plays a critical role in speciation by driving divergence in mating preferences through secondary sexual traits. However, the extent to which sexual selection contributes to reproductive isolation remains an unanswered question. This study investigates the role of sexual selection through creating a hybrid male species cross between Drosophila athabasca (West Northern) and Drosophila mahican (Eastern A) lineages, and examining the potential traits that lead to their mating success. Hybrid males that successfully courted with females were observed, and their courtship songs, cuticular hydrocarbons, and morphological features were analysed. By identifying traits associated with successful mating, this study aims to determine what traits drive female preference and result in male competition. Examining the secondary traits involved in sexual selection provides insight into the mechanisms of sexual isolation and its role in the speciation of Drosophila athabasca and Drosophila mahican, ultimately offering a broader understanding on how these processes contribute to speciation across different species.