The Nature of Genetic Variation for Species Formation

Altukhov (1982) has recently expressed a view-point on the genetic mechanisms of speciation. In this communication, the authors will challenge Altukhov's empirical basis for his claim that species are genetically stable at polymorphic loci. Second, they will question the conclusion that evidence of such genetic stability would discredit neo-Darwinian population genetic approaches to speciation. Finally, they will place Altukhov's proposal for a genetic mechanism of speciation into the context of other proposals.