Gavrilets, S. and Waxman, D. 2002.
"Sympatric speciation by sexual conflict"
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 99: 10533-10538.
ABSTRACT
It is well established that sexual conflict can drive an endless coevolutionary
chase between the sexes potentially leading to genetic divergence of isolated
populations and allopatric speciation. We present a simple mathematical model that shows that sexual conflict over mating rate can result in two other general regimes.
First, rather than "running" away from males, females can diversify genetically
into separate groups effectively "trapping" the males in the middle at a state
characterized by reduced mating success. Female diversification brings
coevolutionary chase to the end. Second, under certain conditions males respond
to females diversification by diversifying themselves. This results in the formation
of reproductively isolated clusters of genotypes which emerge sympatrically.