Population genetics of Oophaga sylvatica

Here we investigate the phylogenetic and genomic differentiations among populations of Oophaga sylvatica, which exhibit one of the highest phenotypic diversification among poison frogs. We characterize 13 populations (12 monotypic and 1 polytypic) across the O. sylvatica distribution. These populations are mostly separated in two lineages distributed in the Northern and the Southern part of their range in Ecuador. We found relatively low genetic differentiation within each lineage, despite considerable phenotypic variation, and evidence for ongoing gene flow and genetic admixture among some populations of the Northern lineage. Overall these data suggests that phenotypical diversification and aposematic coloration novelty can arise in secondary contact zones even in systems where phenotypes are subject to strong stabilizing selection.