Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 29, 2026
07:10
At-Risk Butterfly Captive Propagation Programs to Enhance Life History Knowledge and Effective Ex Situ Conservation Techniques
Published on: February 11, 2020
Contemporary evolutionary divergence for a protected species following assisted colonization
Michael L Collyer1, Jeffrey S Heilveil, Craig A Stockwell
1Department of Biological Sciences, North Dakota State University, Fargo, North Dakota, United States of America.
Plos One
|September 13, 2011
Summary
Assisted colonization of White Sands pupfish created a refuge population that diverged in body shape from its native environment within 30 years. This contemporary evolution highlights unintended consequences for genetic diversity in conservation efforts.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Conservation Genetics
- Ecology
Background:
- Refuge populations established via assisted colonization are intended as genetic backups for protected species.
- These populations may undergo evolutionary divergence, losing their value as true genetic replicates.
- Contemporary evolutionary divergence in wild populations can occur on short timescales.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate contemporary evolutionary divergence in body shape within a 30-year-old refuge population of White Sands pupfish (Cyprinodon tularosa).
- To assess whether observed body shape divergence is due to phenotypic plasticity or adaptive evolution.
- To evaluate the implications of evolutionary divergence for the conservation utility of assisted colonization.
Main Methods:
- Geometric morphometrics were used to analyze body shape variation in pupfish populations.
- Experimental mesocosms simulated native high and low salinity conditions to test for phenotypic plasticity.
- Microsatellite analysis was performed to assess genetic drift in the refuge population.
Main Results:
- Body shape in White Sands pupfish is heritable, with small contributions from phenotypic plasticity.
- Refuge population exhibited significant body shape divergence compared to native populations, irrespective of experimental salinity.
- No significant genetic drift was detected in the refuge population, supporting adaptive divergence.
Conclusions:
- Assisted colonization can lead to unintended, contemporary evolutionary divergence in refuge populations.
- Relaxed or novel selection pressures in refuge habitats can drive rapid adaptive changes in morphology.
- Evolutionary divergence may compromise the long-term genetic value of refuge populations for conservation.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Speciation Rates
Overview
01:31Formation 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.
02:16Genetics of Speciation
Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
02:29Hybrid Zones
Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.
02:39Gene Flow
Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
02:55The 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.