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Related Concept Videos

Frequency-dependent Selection01:21

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...
Types of Selection01:46

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...
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...
Formation of Species01:31

Formation of Species

Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.Allopatric SpeciationIn allopatric speciation, gene flow between two populations of the same species is prevented by a geographic barrier, like...
Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).Mechanisms of Genetic VariationThe original sources of genetic variation are mutations,...
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.

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Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments
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Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments

Published on: May 21, 2019

Frequency-dependent selection by wild birds promotes polymorphism in model salamanders.

Benjamin M Fitzpatrick1, Kim Shook, Reuben Izally

  • 1Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996, USA. benfitz@utk.edu

BMC Ecology
|May 12, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Predatory birds create frequency-dependent selection, favoring rare prey color morphs. This study confirms that birds maintain color variation in cryptic salamanders through apostatic selection, solving a long-standing evolutionary puzzle.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Ecology
  • Behavioral Ecology
  • Population Genetics

Background:

  • Color polymorphism in cryptic species presents an evolutionary paradox, as selection and genetic drift typically reduce variation.
  • Apostatic selection, driven by predator foraging behavior, is hypothesized to maintain such polymorphisms by favoring rare prey morphs.
  • Empirical evidence linking predator behavior to the maintenance of prey color variation remains scarce.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of predatory birds in maintaining color polymorphism in terrestrial salamanders.
  • To test the hypothesis of apostatic selection as a mechanism for preserving stripe/no-stripe variation in salamanders.
  • To provide empirical evidence for frequency-dependent foraging by predators on cryptic prey.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized realistic, food-bearing model salamanders to simulate prey.
  • Conducted experimental manipulations with wild, ground-foraging birds as predators.
  • Assessed predator attack rates on different color morphs (stripe vs. no-stripe) of model salamanders.

Main Results:

  • Predatory birds exhibited a clear preference for attacking the most common color morph of the model salamanders.
  • The less common morph experienced a survival advantage due to reduced predation pressure.
  • This differential predation resulted in a net survival benefit for the rare morph.

Conclusions:

  • Frequency-dependent foraging by wild birds acts as a significant agent of selection.
  • This selective pressure effectively maintains color polymorphism in cryptic prey populations, such as terrestrial salamanders.
  • The study provides strong empirical support for apostatic selection in natural predator-prey interactions.