Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

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).
Natural Selection and Adaptation01:15

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations, psychological...
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.
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.
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
Gene Flow02:39

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Recent Polygenic Adaptation in Heavily Fished Malawi Cichlids.

Molecular ecology·2026
Same author

Distinct genomic architectures but the same gene underlie the convergent evolution of a plant supergene.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Ancient and Recent Riverine Gene Flow Contributed to the Adaptive Radiation of Sailfin Silversides in Wallace's Dreampond.

Molecular ecology·2026
Same author

Phylogenomic and demographic history of the Cape cliff lizard (Hemicordylus capensis).

Journal of evolutionary biology·2026
Same author

[Transdisciplinary Expert Statement: care guide for people severely affected by ME/CFS in home-based care].

Wiener medizinische Wochenschrift (1946)·2026
Same author

The Genomics of Convergent Adaptation to Intertidal Gravel Beaches in Mediterranean Clingfishes.

Genome biology and evolution·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 29, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Comparing environmental and genetic variance as adaptive response to fluctuating selection.

Hannes Svardal1, Claus Rueffler, Joachim Hermisson

  • 1Mathematics and Biosciences Group, Department of Mathematics, University of Vienna, Nordbergstrasse 15, 1090 Vienna, Austria. hannes.svardal@univie.ac.at

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|September 3, 2011
PubMed
Summary

This study shows that environmental variation is favored under strong fluctuating selection. Genetic polymorphism can emerge when environmental variance is optimized, leading to specialists and bet-hedgers.

More Related Videos

Visualizing Visual Adaptation
04:43

Visualizing Visual Adaptation

Published on: April 24, 2017

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay
07:44

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

Published on: November 28, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Visualizing Visual Adaptation
04:43

Visualizing Visual Adaptation

Published on: April 24, 2017

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay
07:44

Measuring Microbial Mutation Rates with the Fluctuation Assay

Published on: November 28, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Population genetics
  • Quantitative genetics

Background:

  • Phenotypic variation arises from genetic and environmental factors.
  • Fluctuating selection can drive evolutionary dynamics.
  • The lottery model explains polymorphism maintenance via frequency-dependent selection and bet-hedging.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the coevolution of genetic and environmental variation.
  • Understand how fluctuating selection impacts these variation sources.
  • Explore conditions favoring genetic polymorphism under environmental variation.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis based on the lottery model with stabilizing selection on a quantitative trait.
  • Genotypes characterized by heritable variation in mean and variance of phenotypic offspring distribution.
  • Analytical approximations and individual-based simulations used.

Main Results:

  • Increased environmental variance is favored under strong fluctuations in selective optima.
  • Genetic polymorphism can emerge with optimized environmental variance if selection optima distributions are asymmetric or leptokurtic.
  • Evolution leads to a specialist and a bet-hedger strategy.

Conclusions:

  • Environmental variance plays a crucial role in adapting to fluctuating environments.
  • Genetic polymorphism can arise as a bet-hedging strategy.
  • Coevolution of genetic and environmental variation shapes population responses to environmental change.