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Related Concept Videos

Evolutionary Processes in Microbes01:26

Evolutionary Processes in Microbes

Microbial evolution occurs rapidly due to short generation times and a variety of genetic processes, including horizontal gene transfer, mutation, recombination, and genetic drift. These mechanisms collectively enable microbes to adapt swiftly to changing environments.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows genes to move between different species and occurs through three main mechanisms: conjugation, transformation, and transduction. Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for DNA...
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.
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...
What is Evolutionary History?02:35

What is Evolutionary History?

Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.Phylogenetic trees illustrate the evolutionary relationships among these organisms. Scientists infer organisms’ common ancestry by evaluating shared morphological and genetic characteristics. Together, the fossil...
The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

Genetic variations accumulating within populations over generations give rise to biological evolution. Evolutionary changes can result in the formation of novel varieties and entire new species. These changes are responsible for the diverse forms of life inhabiting the planet. The evidence for evolution suggests that all living organisms descended from common ancestors.The collection of fossils within sedimentary rocks give a record of common ancestry and often depicts the history of evolution.
Ecological Disturbance02:26

Ecological Disturbance

An ecological disturbance is a temporary disruption in the environment resulting from abiotic, biotic, or anthropogenic factors, causing a pronounced change in an ecosystem. The impact of an ecological disturbance, which can depend on its intensity, frequency, and spatial distribution, plays a significant role in shaping the species diversity within the ecosystem.Ecological disturbances can be caused by an event as small as the trampling of underbrush to an incident as wide-ranging as a forest...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 5, 2026

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

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Rapid evolution as an ecological process.

J N Thompson1

  • 1Depts of Botany and Zoology, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164-4238, USA.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 18, 2011
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Rapid evolution significantly impacts ecological community dynamics within a century. Incorporating rapid evolution as a standard hypothesis can advance ecological studies and applied biological sciences.

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Last Updated: Jun 5, 2026

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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Population Dynamics

Background:

  • Interspecific interactions are evolving rapidly, over timescales of approximately 100 years.
  • This rapid evolution is increasingly recognized for its potential to influence ecological community dynamics.
  • However, rapid evolution is not yet a standard hypothesis in many ecological studies of population structure and community organization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the ecological significance of rapid evolution in interspecific interactions.
  • To advocate for the integration of rapid evolution as a standard hypothesis in ecological research.
  • To underscore the potential of evolutionary ecology to become a central applied biological science.

Main Methods:

  • Review and synthesis of existing research on rapid interspecific interactions.
  • Conceptual analysis of the role of rapid evolution in ecological dynamics.
  • Discussion of the implications for the field of evolutionary ecology.

Main Results:

  • Rapid evolution over ~100 years demonstrably influences ecological community dynamics.
  • A gap exists in the routine application of rapid evolution as a working hypothesis in ecological studies.
  • Integrating rapid evolution enhances the applied relevance of evolutionary ecology.

Conclusions:

  • Rapid evolutionary changes in species interactions are ecologically significant.
  • Adopting rapid evolution as a standard hypothesis is crucial for advancing ecological understanding.
  • Evolutionary ecology holds substantial potential as a central applied biological science.