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Related Experiment Videos

Adaptation and species range.

Joel R Peck1, John J Welch

  • 1Centre for the Study of Evolution, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9QG, East Sussex, United Kingdom. j.r.peck@sussex.ac.uk

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|April 8, 2004
PubMed
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Sewall Wright's shifting-balance process, phase III, is unlikely to spread superior genotypes in stable environments. However, changing environmental conditions can enable this adaptive process in structured populations.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Population genetics

Background:

  • Sewall Wright's shifting-balance theory proposes mechanisms for adaptive evolution in structured populations.
  • Phase III of this theory, the spread of advantageous genotypes, has faced skepticism regarding its biological plausibility under stable conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the conditions under which phase III of the shifting-balance process is effective.
  • To address concerns about the likelihood of adaptive change in structured populations.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of mathematical models relevant to population genetics and evolutionary dynamics.
  • Simulation of genotype spread under varying environmental stability scenarios.

Main Results:

  • Mathematical models support concerns about phase III's effectiveness in stable environments.

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  • Phase III can facilitate adaptive evolution when environmental conditions change, altering species ranges.

    • Conclusions:

    • The efficacy of phase III is contingent on environmental dynamics, not just population structure.
    • Adaptive evolution via genotype spread is more probable in fluctuating or shifting environments.