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Related Concept Videos

Genetic Drift03:33

Genetic Drift

Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.Life is not fair. A deer grazing contentedly in a field can have her meal cut tragically short by a bolt of lightning. If the doomed doe is one of only three in the population, 1/3 of the population’s gene pool is lost. Random events like this can...
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

Evolution of New Traits in Microbes

Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
Speciation Rates01:07

Speciation Rates

Speciation can proceed at markedly different rates, and evolutionary biologists commonly describe these differences through the models of gradualism and punctuated equilibrium. Both patterns explain how new species arise, but they differ in the tempo and continuity of evolutionary change. In both cases, evolutionary change arises from heritable variation within populations, with natural selection often shaping traits that improve survival and reproduction under specific environmental conditions.
Limits to Natural Selection01:38

Limits to Natural Selection

Organisms that are well-adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce. However, natural selection does not lead to perfectly adapted organisms. Several factors constrain natural selection.For one, natural selection can only act upon existing genetic variation. Hypothetically, redtusks may enhance elephant survival by deterring ivory-seeking poachers. However, if there are no gene variants—or alleles—for redtusks, natural selection cannot increase the prevalence of...
What is Natural Selection?01:32

What is Natural Selection?

Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.The Theory of Natural...
Population Growth00:57

Population Growth

Population size is dynamic, increasing with birth rates and immigration, and decreasing with death rates and emigration. In ideal conditions with unlimited resources, populations can increase exponentially, which plots as a J-shaped growth rate curve of population size against time. This type of curve is characteristic of newly-introduced invasive species, or populations that have suffered catastrophic declines and are rebounding.However, realistic environmental conditions limit the number of...

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Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications
07:37

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Adaptive evolution in invasive species.

Peter J Prentis1, John R U Wilson, Eleanor E Dormontt

  • 1Australian Centre for Evolutionary Biology and Biodiversity, School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, South Australia 5005, Australia. peter.prentis@adelaide.edu.au

Trends in Plant Science
|May 10, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Rapid adaptation in invasive species can occur quickly, often within 20 generations. This review explores the genetic and epigenetic sources of variation driving this rapid evolution, crucial for predicting future invasions.

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Last Updated: Jul 5, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics and Genomics
  • Invasive Species Management

Background:

  • Invasive species frequently exhibit rapid adaptation to new environments.
  • Evolutionary processes significantly impact the success of invasive species.
  • The origins of genetic or epigenetic variation driving rapid adaptation are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the potential sources of variation for rapid adaptation in invasive species.
  • To examine evolutionary changes that may facilitate or hinder adaptation during invasions.
  • To highlight the importance of understanding adaptive evolution in invasive plants.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of contemporary genetic studies.
  • Analysis of standing genetic variation as a source of adaptation.
  • Examination of new mutations as a source of adaptation.
  • Review of evolutionary changes influencing rapid adaptation.

Main Results:

  • Rapid adaptation can occur within 20 generations or less.
  • Both standing genetic variation and new mutations can fuel rapid adaptation.
  • Specific evolutionary changes can promote or constrain adaptation during invasion.

Conclusions:

  • Understanding the source of variation is key to predicting invasive species spread.
  • Identifying genes involved in invasiveness can aid management strategies.
  • This knowledge advances our understanding of rapid population evolution in novel environments.