Andrew P. Hendry, Virginie Millien, Andrew Gonzalez, and Hans C. E. Larsson
- Published in print:
- 2013
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199595372
- eISBN:
- 9780191774799
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199595372.003.0012
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
This chapter outlines three basic ways in which humans can alter evolution on adaptive landscapes: through changes in topography, changes in dimensionality, and phenotypic excursions. Changes in ...
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This chapter outlines three basic ways in which humans can alter evolution on adaptive landscapes: through changes in topography, changes in dimensionality, and phenotypic excursions. Changes in topography involve the numbers, positions, gradients, and elevations of surface features on the landscape, such as peaks and valleys. Changes in dimensionality involve the number of at least partially independent traits under selection. Excursions typically involve more or less abrupt changes in the phenotypic position of populations on existing adaptive landscapes, such as through plasticity, hybridization, or genetic manipulation. These different types of change can generate predictions for changes in selection and alterations in evolution — assuming the population can persist through the disturbance. Invasive species can have all of these classes of effects, either for the invasive species or for native species. Climate change will most obviously involve a shift in peak position, such as breeding times under warmer temperatures. Hunting/harvesting will also often involve a shift in peak position, particularly toward smaller and slower growing individuals, and might also decrease phenotypic variance. Habitat loss and fragmentation will influence numbers and positions of adaptive peaks, and can also influence excursions by altering patterns of gene flow in meta-populations. Finally, a decrease in habitat quality can decrease the heights of fitness peaks and cause adaptive landscapes to become smoother. It can also change dimensionality, such as through the introduction of a new contaminant. In conclusion, viewing human-induced environmental change in the framework of changes to adaptive landscapes offers new insights and new perspectives for research.Less
This chapter outlines three basic ways in which humans can alter evolution on adaptive landscapes: through changes in topography, changes in dimensionality, and phenotypic excursions. Changes in topography involve the numbers, positions, gradients, and elevations of surface features on the landscape, such as peaks and valleys. Changes in dimensionality involve the number of at least partially independent traits under selection. Excursions typically involve more or less abrupt changes in the phenotypic position of populations on existing adaptive landscapes, such as through plasticity, hybridization, or genetic manipulation. These different types of change can generate predictions for changes in selection and alterations in evolution — assuming the population can persist through the disturbance. Invasive species can have all of these classes of effects, either for the invasive species or for native species. Climate change will most obviously involve a shift in peak position, such as breeding times under warmer temperatures. Hunting/harvesting will also often involve a shift in peak position, particularly toward smaller and slower growing individuals, and might also decrease phenotypic variance. Habitat loss and fragmentation will influence numbers and positions of adaptive peaks, and can also influence excursions by altering patterns of gene flow in meta-populations. Finally, a decrease in habitat quality can decrease the heights of fitness peaks and cause adaptive landscapes to become smoother. It can also change dimensionality, such as through the introduction of a new contaminant. In conclusion, viewing human-induced environmental change in the framework of changes to adaptive landscapes offers new insights and new perspectives for research.
Rama S. Singh, Jianping Xu, and Rob J. Kulathinal (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199642274
- eISBN:
- 9780191774751
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199642274.001.0001
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Ever since the pioneering work of Darwin and Wallace, evolutionary biologists have attempted to understand the evolutionary dynamics of genetic systems. A range of theories on evolutionary rates — ...
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Ever since the pioneering work of Darwin and Wallace, evolutionary biologists have attempted to understand the evolutionary dynamics of genetic systems. A range of theories on evolutionary rates — from static to gradual to punctuated to quantum — have been developed, primarily by comparing morphological changes over geological timescales as described in the fossil record. Recent studies, however, are beginning to change the way that we view evolutionary patterns and processes. New paleontological, experimental, molecular, and genomic investigations are providing a tremendous amount of novel data and fresh perspectives, offering valuable insights on the rates of evolutionary change, particularly in fast-evolving genetic systems. This book captures these recent exciting developments across a broad range of morphological, molecular, cellular, developmental, and genetic investigations in both natural and experimental populations over a diversity of life forms. The book provides a series of case studies that exemplify rapid evolution, and showcases the diversity of rapidly evolving genes and genetic systems, emphasizing the extremely important roles that they play in adaptation, speciation, and the generation and maintenance of a diversity of biological traits and properties.Less
Ever since the pioneering work of Darwin and Wallace, evolutionary biologists have attempted to understand the evolutionary dynamics of genetic systems. A range of theories on evolutionary rates — from static to gradual to punctuated to quantum — have been developed, primarily by comparing morphological changes over geological timescales as described in the fossil record. Recent studies, however, are beginning to change the way that we view evolutionary patterns and processes. New paleontological, experimental, molecular, and genomic investigations are providing a tremendous amount of novel data and fresh perspectives, offering valuable insights on the rates of evolutionary change, particularly in fast-evolving genetic systems. This book captures these recent exciting developments across a broad range of morphological, molecular, cellular, developmental, and genetic investigations in both natural and experimental populations over a diversity of life forms. The book provides a series of case studies that exemplify rapid evolution, and showcases the diversity of rapidly evolving genes and genetic systems, emphasizing the extremely important roles that they play in adaptation, speciation, and the generation and maintenance of a diversity of biological traits and properties.
Gary G. Mittelbach and Brian J. McGill
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- September 2019
- ISBN:
- 9780198835851
- eISBN:
- 9780191873379
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780198835851.003.0016
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Biodiversity / Conservation Biology
Ecology and evolution go hand in hand. However, since evolution occurs over relatively long time scales, ecologists had long thought it unlikely that evolutionary events could affect population ...
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Ecology and evolution go hand in hand. However, since evolution occurs over relatively long time scales, ecologists had long thought it unlikely that evolutionary events could affect population dynamics or species interactions in ecological time. This view is changing. Today, there are multiple areas of research examining how evolutionary processes feedback directly on ecology. For example, eco-evolutionary dynamics focus on the cyclical interaction between ecology and adaptive evolution, such that changes in ecological interactions drive selection on organismal traits that, in turn, alter the outcome of ecological interactions. Striking examples of eco-evolutionary feedbacks are found in predator–prey interactions of laboratory populations. However, less is known about eco-evolutionary feedbacks in nature. Evolutionary rescue describes a process whereby rapid adaptation may prevent extinction in a changing environment. Other topics covered in this chapter are community phylogenetics and the evolution of regional species pools.Less
Ecology and evolution go hand in hand. However, since evolution occurs over relatively long time scales, ecologists had long thought it unlikely that evolutionary events could affect population dynamics or species interactions in ecological time. This view is changing. Today, there are multiple areas of research examining how evolutionary processes feedback directly on ecology. For example, eco-evolutionary dynamics focus on the cyclical interaction between ecology and adaptive evolution, such that changes in ecological interactions drive selection on organismal traits that, in turn, alter the outcome of ecological interactions. Striking examples of eco-evolutionary feedbacks are found in predator–prey interactions of laboratory populations. However, less is known about eco-evolutionary feedbacks in nature. Evolutionary rescue describes a process whereby rapid adaptation may prevent extinction in a changing environment. Other topics covered in this chapter are community phylogenetics and the evolution of regional species pools.
Kevin C. Roach, Benjamin D. Ross, and Harmit S. Malik
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199642274
- eISBN:
- 9780191774751
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199642274.003.0009
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Centromeres and the kinetochore proteins that bind them are required for chromosome segregation during eukaryotic cell division. Despite this conserved function, both centromeric DNA and kinetochore ...
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Centromeres and the kinetochore proteins that bind them are required for chromosome segregation during eukaryotic cell division. Despite this conserved function, both centromeric DNA and kinetochore proteins evolve rapidly. This chapter hypothesizes that this paradox can be explained by an on-going conflict between selfish centromeric DNA elements and the DNA binding proteins of the kinetochore. In this model, centromeres are able to gain an evolutionary advantage by promoting their own transmission during asymmetric female meiosis. Deleterious consequences of this selfish behaviour in turn select for variant kinetochore proteins that can suppress centromeric imbalances. This conflict, termed ‘Centromere Drive’, provides an explanation for observed differences in evolutionary rates between components of the kinetochore, and makes predictions about which taxa might experience accelerated centromeric evolution.Less
Centromeres and the kinetochore proteins that bind them are required for chromosome segregation during eukaryotic cell division. Despite this conserved function, both centromeric DNA and kinetochore proteins evolve rapidly. This chapter hypothesizes that this paradox can be explained by an on-going conflict between selfish centromeric DNA elements and the DNA binding proteins of the kinetochore. In this model, centromeres are able to gain an evolutionary advantage by promoting their own transmission during asymmetric female meiosis. Deleterious consequences of this selfish behaviour in turn select for variant kinetochore proteins that can suppress centromeric imbalances. This conflict, termed ‘Centromere Drive’, provides an explanation for observed differences in evolutionary rates between components of the kinetochore, and makes predictions about which taxa might experience accelerated centromeric evolution.
Carlo G. Artieri
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199642274
- eISBN:
- 9780191774751
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199642274.003.0023
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
Interspecific comparisons of gene expression patterns have shown that much variability exists in the rates of divergence among loci. Furthermore, divergence rates within loci vary depending on the ...
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Interspecific comparisons of gene expression patterns have shown that much variability exists in the rates of divergence among loci. Furthermore, divergence rates within loci vary depending on the tissue(s) and developmental stage(s) being compared. Several broad patterns explaining these rate differences have emerged and, in general, it appears that genes with tissue-specific patterns of expression (especially in tissues under frequent directional selection), and/or biased expression during late developmental stages, are more likely to be involved in rapid evolution. Novel techniques are now allowing us to identify those instances of rapid evolution that are adaptive, as well as probe under-explored aspects of transcriptome divergence — such as alternative splicing and the contribution of non-coding RNAs — and are beginning to unravel the underlying complexity of the transcriptome and how it may be an agent of rapid phenotypic evolution at the organismal level.Less
Interspecific comparisons of gene expression patterns have shown that much variability exists in the rates of divergence among loci. Furthermore, divergence rates within loci vary depending on the tissue(s) and developmental stage(s) being compared. Several broad patterns explaining these rate differences have emerged and, in general, it appears that genes with tissue-specific patterns of expression (especially in tissues under frequent directional selection), and/or biased expression during late developmental stages, are more likely to be involved in rapid evolution. Novel techniques are now allowing us to identify those instances of rapid evolution that are adaptive, as well as probe under-explored aspects of transcriptome divergence — such as alternative splicing and the contribution of non-coding RNAs — and are beginning to unravel the underlying complexity of the transcriptome and how it may be an agent of rapid phenotypic evolution at the organismal level.
Brian P. Lazzaro and Andrew G. Clark
- Published in print:
- 2012
- Published Online:
- December 2013
- ISBN:
- 9780199642274
- eISBN:
- 9780191774751
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199642274.003.0020
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
The opportunity for arms-race evolution between host and pathogens is one reason why genes involved in immune functions are often rapidly evolving. Innate immune systems lack the degree of pathogen ...
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The opportunity for arms-race evolution between host and pathogens is one reason why genes involved in immune functions are often rapidly evolving. Innate immune systems lack the degree of pathogen specificity that makes such arms races easy to initiate, but nevertheless they too harbour rapidly evolving genes. While core signalling genes retain one-to-one orthology, both recognition and antimicrobial peptide genes display rapid changes in copy number. With respect to turnover of amino acids in the proteins themselves, receptors that are involved in phagocytosis evolve the fastest, with signalling proteins also evolving rapidly as a consequence of microbial attack. Antimicrobial peptides have a comparatively slow rate of amino acid replacement. Finally, several proteins involved in viral and transposon defence are exceptionally rapid in their evolutionary rates, possibly as a consequence of an arms race process whose rate is driven by the high mutation rate of viruses.Less
The opportunity for arms-race evolution between host and pathogens is one reason why genes involved in immune functions are often rapidly evolving. Innate immune systems lack the degree of pathogen specificity that makes such arms races easy to initiate, but nevertheless they too harbour rapidly evolving genes. While core signalling genes retain one-to-one orthology, both recognition and antimicrobial peptide genes display rapid changes in copy number. With respect to turnover of amino acids in the proteins themselves, receptors that are involved in phagocytosis evolve the fastest, with signalling proteins also evolving rapidly as a consequence of microbial attack. Antimicrobial peptides have a comparatively slow rate of amino acid replacement. Finally, several proteins involved in viral and transposon defence are exceptionally rapid in their evolutionary rates, possibly as a consequence of an arms race process whose rate is driven by the high mutation rate of viruses.
Matthew R. Walsh, Michelle Packer, Shannon Beston, Collin Funkhouser, Michael Gillis, Julian Holmes, and Jared Goos
- Published in print:
- 2018
- Published Online:
- September 2021
- ISBN:
- 9780190620271
- eISBN:
- 9780197590461
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/oso/9780190620271.003.0016
- Subject:
- Biology, Animal Biology, Aquatic Biology
Much research has shown that variation in ecological processes can drive rapid evolutionary changes over periods of years to decades. Such contemporary adaptation sets the stage for evolution to have ...
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Much research has shown that variation in ecological processes can drive rapid evolutionary changes over periods of years to decades. Such contemporary adaptation sets the stage for evolution to have reciprocal impacts on the properties of populations, communities, and ecosystems, with ongoing interactions between ecological and evolutionary forces. The importance and generality of these eco-evolutionary dynamics are largely unknown. In this chapter, we promote the use of water fleas (Daphnia sp.) as a model organism in the exploration of eco-evolutionary interactions in nature. The many characteristics of Daphnia that make them suitable for laboratory study in conjunction with their well-known ecological importance in lakes, position Daphnia to contribute new and important insights into eco-evolutionary dynamics. We first review the influence of key environmental stressors in Daphnia evolution. We then highlight recent work documenting the pathway from life history evolution to ecology using Daphnia as a model. This review demonstrates that much is known about the influence of ecology on Daphnia life history evolution, while research exploring the genomic basis of adaptation as well as the influence of Daphnia life history traits on ecological processes is beginning to accumulate.Less
Much research has shown that variation in ecological processes can drive rapid evolutionary changes over periods of years to decades. Such contemporary adaptation sets the stage for evolution to have reciprocal impacts on the properties of populations, communities, and ecosystems, with ongoing interactions between ecological and evolutionary forces. The importance and generality of these eco-evolutionary dynamics are largely unknown. In this chapter, we promote the use of water fleas (Daphnia sp.) as a model organism in the exploration of eco-evolutionary interactions in nature. The many characteristics of Daphnia that make them suitable for laboratory study in conjunction with their well-known ecological importance in lakes, position Daphnia to contribute new and important insights into eco-evolutionary dynamics. We first review the influence of key environmental stressors in Daphnia evolution. We then highlight recent work documenting the pathway from life history evolution to ecology using Daphnia as a model. This review demonstrates that much is known about the influence of ecology on Daphnia life history evolution, while research exploring the genomic basis of adaptation as well as the influence of Daphnia life history traits on ecological processes is beginning to accumulate.
Jonathan W. Atwell, Danielle J. Whittaker, Trevor D. Price, and Ellen D. Ketterson
- Published in print:
- 2016
- Published Online:
- September 2016
- ISBN:
- 9780226330778
- eISBN:
- 9780226330808
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- University of Chicago Press
- DOI:
- 10.7208/chicago/9780226330808.003.0010
- Subject:
- Biology, Evolutionary Biology / Genetics
In a rapidly changing world, understanding how organisms and populations respond to new or changing environments is of importance for addressing challenges related to conservation of biodiversity, ...
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In a rapidly changing world, understanding how organisms and populations respond to new or changing environments is of importance for addressing challenges related to conservation of biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health. Contemporary colonization events provide a rare opportunity to study developmental and evolutionary responses to novel environments in ‘real time.’ In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive review of nearly two decades of research examining a unique Junco colonization event in S. California, in which a typically montane-breeding subspecies (J.hyemalis thurberi) recently (c. 1983) established a small population in an urban and coastal environment. First, we discuss the unique natural history of this study system. Second, we summarize observed phenotypic changes in behavior, morphology, and physiology that have been documented to date, including evidence for both [developmental] plasticity and rapid [genetic] evolution, inferred from field and common garden studies. Third, we discuss the relevance of these studies in the wider context of efforts to link integrative and evolutionary biology by studying hormones and hormone-mediated traits. We conclude by exploring the promise of ongoing and future work in this system, including a scope for adding replicate population comparisons from other Junco colonizations of urban habitats and offshore islands.Less
In a rapidly changing world, understanding how organisms and populations respond to new or changing environments is of importance for addressing challenges related to conservation of biodiversity, ecosystem function, and human health. Contemporary colonization events provide a rare opportunity to study developmental and evolutionary responses to novel environments in ‘real time.’ In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive review of nearly two decades of research examining a unique Junco colonization event in S. California, in which a typically montane-breeding subspecies (J.hyemalis thurberi) recently (c. 1983) established a small population in an urban and coastal environment. First, we discuss the unique natural history of this study system. Second, we summarize observed phenotypic changes in behavior, morphology, and physiology that have been documented to date, including evidence for both [developmental] plasticity and rapid [genetic] evolution, inferred from field and common garden studies. Third, we discuss the relevance of these studies in the wider context of efforts to link integrative and evolutionary biology by studying hormones and hormone-mediated traits. We conclude by exploring the promise of ongoing and future work in this system, including a scope for adding replicate population comparisons from other Junco colonizations of urban habitats and offshore islands.
Cang Hui and David M. Richardson
- Published in print:
- 2017
- Published Online:
- March 2017
- ISBN:
- 9780198745334
- eISBN:
- 9780191807046
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:oso/9780198745334.003.0004
- Subject:
- Biology, Ecology, Biomathematics / Statistics and Data Analysis / Complexity Studies
The spreading dynamics of invasive species in their novel range is often faster and has greater variability than would be predicted from diffusion-based models, which leads to an underestimation of ...
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The spreading dynamics of invasive species in their novel range is often faster and has greater variability than would be predicted from diffusion-based models, which leads to an underestimation of rates of spread and often to delayed intervention which reduces the efficient of management. Diverse mechanisms that underpin such boosted range expansion and invasion performance are related to either altered biotic interactions with other species (e.g. enemy release) or readjustment of the invader’s life-history strategies, especially due to augmented dispersal and rapid adaptation at the advancing range margin. This chapter deals with boosted range expansion due to the readjustment of life-history strategies. Key mechanisms include long-distance dispersal, human-mediated translocation, the rapid evolution of dispersal and life-history traits, and spatial sorting. An integrated framework based on joint mechanisms of fat-tailed dispersal and spatial selection at the advancing edge is presented to explain boosted range expansion.Less
The spreading dynamics of invasive species in their novel range is often faster and has greater variability than would be predicted from diffusion-based models, which leads to an underestimation of rates of spread and often to delayed intervention which reduces the efficient of management. Diverse mechanisms that underpin such boosted range expansion and invasion performance are related to either altered biotic interactions with other species (e.g. enemy release) or readjustment of the invader’s life-history strategies, especially due to augmented dispersal and rapid adaptation at the advancing range margin. This chapter deals with boosted range expansion due to the readjustment of life-history strategies. Key mechanisms include long-distance dispersal, human-mediated translocation, the rapid evolution of dispersal and life-history traits, and spatial sorting. An integrated framework based on joint mechanisms of fat-tailed dispersal and spatial selection at the advancing edge is presented to explain boosted range expansion.