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Related Concept Videos

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
Types of Selection01:46

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...
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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.
Epistasis01:39

Epistasis

In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
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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.
Frequency-dependent Selection01:21

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.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

Manipulation of Color Patterns in Jumping Spiders for Use in Behavioral Experiments
09:03

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

Published on: May 21, 2019

Adaptive colouration in amphibians.

Andreas Rudh1, Anna Qvarnström

  • 1Department of Animal Ecology, Evolutionary Biology Centre (EBC), Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. andreasrudh@hotmail.com

Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|May 14, 2013
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Amphibian coloration, including bright colors and patterns, offers diverse adaptive functions like thermoregulation and predator avoidance. Further research is needed to explore these roles and the genetic basis of amphibian color variation.

Keywords:
AdaptationColour visionNatural selectionPigmentationSexual selection

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Area of Science:

  • Zoology
  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology

Background:

  • Amphibians exhibit remarkable color and pattern diversity across species and populations.
  • Coloration in amphibians can change with development and environmental factors.
  • This variation presents opportunities to study the adaptive significance of colors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the functions of amphibian coloration, focusing on understudied areas.
  • To highlight the need for further research into the adaptive roles of color variation.
  • To encourage studies integrating visual ecology and behavior.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing research on amphibian coloration.
  • Analysis of proposed adaptive functions including thermoregulation, UV protection, predator avoidance, and sexual signaling.
  • Identification of research gaps and future directions.

Main Results:

  • Color variation in amphibians is linked to thermoregulation, UV protection, predator avoidance, and sexual signaling.
  • Many proposed adaptive functions of amphibian coloration remain under-explored.
  • Few genes influencing amphibian pigmentation or patterning have been identified.

Conclusions:

  • Amphibian color variation serves multiple adaptive functions, but requires more empirical investigation.
  • Future research should leverage advancements in visual sensory measurements and behavioral ecology.
  • Understanding the interplay between vision, behavior, and ecology is crucial for deciphering the adaptive significance of amphibian coloration.