Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Mate Choice

Mate Choice

Mate choice—the decision about whom to mate with—is a type of natural selection, since animals must reproduce to pass down their genes. Mate choice is also called intersexual selection because the behavior occurs between the sexes.

Types of Selection

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...

Frequency-dependent Selection

Frequency-dependent Selection

When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.Positive Frequency-Dependent SelectionIn positive...

Conservation of Declining Populations

Conservation of Declining Populations

Conservation of declining population focuses on ways of detecting, diagnosing, and halting a population decline. The approach uses methods to prevent populations from going extinct.

Hybrid Zones

Hybrid Zones

Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.Gene flow and natural selection are evolutionary mechanisms that shape the outcome of a hybrid zone. Gene flow...

Convergent Evolution

Convergent Evolution

Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.The structures that arise from convergent evolution are called analogous structures. They are similar in function even if they are dissimilar in structure. Further, structures can be analogous while also...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Resolving the phylogeny of the European newts.

Trends in ecology & evolution·2011

Same author

Lymphoma: pictorial review. II.

European radiology·2003

Same author

Lymphoma: pictorial review. I.

European radiology·2003

Same author

The value of the absent bow tie sign in MRI of bucket-handle tears.

Clinical radiology·2000

Same author

Sperm storage in females of the smooth newt (Triturus v. vulgaris L.): I. Ultrastructure of the spermathecae during the breeding season.

The Journal of experimental zoology·1999

Same author

Ecological research.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·1995

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Published on: May 12, 2019

Do frogs make good canaries?

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Open University.

Biologist (London, England)

|February 24, 2001

Summary

Declining frog populations may signal a future environmental crisis. These amphibians act as sensitive indicators of ecosystem health, similar to how canaries once warned miners of dangerous gases.

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Amphibian Biology
Conservation Biology

Background:

Historically, canaries served as bioindicators for miners, detecting toxic gases.
Recent amphibian population declines worldwide raise concerns about environmental health.
Frogs are sensitive to environmental changes, making them valuable ecological indicators.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the potential of global frog population declines as an early warning system for environmental issues.
To assess the correlation between amphibian health and broader ecosystem stability.
To explore the role of frogs as bioindicators for environmental threats.

Main Methods:

Global literature review on amphibian population trends.
Analysis of environmental factors correlated with observed declines.

More Related Videos

Analysis of Transforming Growth Factor ß Family Cleavage Products Secreted Into the Blastocoele of Xenopus laevis Embryos

Analysis of Transforming Growth Factor ß Family Cleavage Products Secreted Into the Blastocoele of Xenopus laevis Embryos

Published on: July 21, 2021

Methods for Tattooing Xenopus laevis with a Rotary Tattoo Machine

Methods for Tattooing Xenopus laevis with a Rotary Tattoo Machine

Published on: June 28, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Reproductive Techniques for Ovarian Monitoring and Control in Amphibians

Published on: May 12, 2019

Analysis of Transforming Growth Factor ß Family Cleavage Products Secreted Into the Blastocoele of Xenopus laevis Embryos

Analysis of Transforming Growth Factor ß Family Cleavage Products Secreted Into the Blastocoele of Xenopus laevis Embryos

Published on: July 21, 2021

Methods for Tattooing Xenopus laevis with a Rotary Tattoo Machine

Methods for Tattooing Xenopus laevis with a Rotary Tattoo Machine

Published on: June 28, 2024

Comparative study of frog sensitivity to pollutants versus other species.

Main Results:

Significant, widespread declines in various frog species have been documented globally.
These declines are often linked to habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.
Frogs exhibit high sensitivity to subtle environmental stressors.

Conclusions:

The current amphibian crisis is a critical warning sign for global environmental health.
Urgent conservation efforts and environmental policy changes are needed to address the underlying causes of frog declines.
Continued monitoring of amphibian populations is essential for early detection of environmental degradation.