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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...

What is Natural Selection?

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...

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...

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.

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

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,...

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predator-Prey Interactions

Predators consume prey for energy. Predators that acquire prey and prey that avoid predation both increase their chances of survival and reproduction (i.e., fitness). Routine predator-prey interactions elicit mutual adaptations that improve predator offenses, such as claws, teeth, and speed, as well as prey defenses, including crypsis, aposematism, and mimicry. Thus, predator-prey interactions resemble an evolutionary arms race.Although predation is commonly associated with carnivory, for...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

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

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

Published on: May 21, 2019

Positive frequency-dependent selection on warning color in Alpine leaf beetles.

Matthias Borer¹, Tom Van Noort, Martine Rahier

¹Laboratory of Evolutionary Entomology, Institute of Biology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile-Argand 11, 2000 Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution

|December 29, 2010

Summary

Müller's theory of warning coloration is demonstrated in wild alpine beetles. Beetles matching the local color morph show significantly higher survival rates against predators.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Ecology
Behavioral Ecology

Background:

Müller's theory explains warning coloration and mimicry as frequency-dependent selection.
Empirical evidence for this theory in natural settings, especially for mobile prey, is scarce due to methodological challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

To experimentally demonstrate frequency-dependent selection acting on warning coloration in a wild beetle population.
To quantify the impact of matching local color morphs on prey survival.

Main Methods:

Utilized tethered Oreina gloriosa leaf beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in their natural alpine habitat.
Exposed tethered beetles to natural predation to assess survival rates across different color morphs.
Measured survival differences between beetles matching the local predominant color morph and those that did not.

Main Results:

Beetles matching the local predominant color morph exhibited increased survival rates, with odds of week-long survival enhanced by a factor of 1.67.
Foreign color morphs experienced approximately 13% selection against them.
Demonstrated significant natural selection on warning coloration in a mobile prey species.

Conclusions:

Frequency-dependent selection on warning coloration is active in alpine beetle communities.
Geographic variation in warning coloration may be driven by selection acting on community composition.
The persistence of within-population color polymorphism in Oreina species presents a paradox despite observed purifying selection.