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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...

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

Limits to Natural Selection

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.

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

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...

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ARTIFICIAL SELECTION FOR PAEDOMORPHOSIS IN THE SALAMANDER AMBYSTOMA TALPOIDEUM.

Raymond D Semlitsch¹, Henry M Wilbur¹

¹Department of Zoology, Duke University, Durham, NC, 27706.

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution

|June 2, 2017

Summary

Paedomorphosis in salamanders is influenced by genetics and environment. This study shows heritable variation allows rapid evolution in Ambystoma talpoideum populations facing different pond conditions.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Developmental biology
Ecology

Background:

Heterochronic ontogenetic mechanisms, like paedomorphosis, drive evolutionary change.
The facultatively paedomorphic salamander, Ambystoma talpoideum, exhibits population-specific paedomorphosis expression.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the genetic basis of paedomorphosis in A. talpoideum.
To determine if environmental factors and artificial selection influence paedomorphosis expression differently across populations.

Main Methods:

Artificial selection for paedomorphosis over four generations in two distinct breeding lines.
A common garden experiment rearing the F5 generation under simulated temporary and permanent pond drying regimes.

Main Results:

Significant differences in response to drying regimes and artificial selection between the two breeding lines.
A significant population by selection interaction indicated differential responses to selection.

Conclusions:

Heritable genetic variation for paedomorphosis exists in A. talpoideum populations.
Intense natural selection can drive rapid evolutionary divergence in salamander populations over short ecological timescales.