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The evolution of activity capacity.

A F Bennett1

  • 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, Irvine 92717.

The Journal of Experimental Biology
|October 1, 1991
PubMed
Summary
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Animal activity capacities like speed and endurance are heritable traits influenced by natural selection. While not always directly linked to survival, these traits evolved significantly, especially in birds and mammals, potentially for thermoregulation or enhanced performance.

Area of Science:

  • Zoology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Animal activity capacities (speed, exertion, endurance) are crucial for survival and reproduction.
  • These capacities are heritable and variable, making them subject to natural selection.
  • Previous studies show mixed results on the direct link between activity and survivorship.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the selective importance of animal activity capacities in current populations.
  • To investigate the evolutionary patterns of activity capacities across major animal taxa.
  • To understand the physiological underpinnings of different activity capacities.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative analysis of activity capacities across major animal groups.
  • Review of existing field studies on activity capacities and survivorship.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Examination of metabolic pathways (aerobic and anaerobic) supporting different activity levels.

    • Main Results:

    • Activity capacities are heritable and variable, indicating potential for natural selection.
    • Positive associations between burst speed and survivorship exist in some populations.
    • Endurance is linked to maximal oxygen consumption; speed/exertion correlate with anaerobic metabolism (phosphagens, lactic acid, octopine).

    Conclusions:

    • Natural selection can act on animal activity capacities, though its impact varies.
    • The evolution of land vertebrates led to decreased endurance, later regained with enhanced aerobic metabolism in birds and mammals.
    • Increased aerobic capacities in birds and mammals may be linked to thermoregulation and/or performance demands.