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Evolutionary impacts of winter climate change on insects
Katie Elizabeth Marshall1, Karl Gotthard2, Caroline Margaret Williams3
1Department of Zoology, University of British Columbia. Vancouve, V6T 1Z4, Canada.
Current Opinion in Insect Science
|July 26, 2020
Summary
Insect evolution is adapting to changing winters. Evidence shows shifts in insect phenology and cold hardiness, crucial for predicting future insect populations and ranges amid climate change.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Climate Change Biology
Background:
- Insect overwintering is challenged by rapidly changing winter conditions due to climate shifts.
- Species' survival and distribution depend on their capacity for phenotypic plasticity and evolutionary adaptation to these changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review current knowledge on the potential and evidence for evolution in winter-relevant traits in insects.
- To assess the capacity for evolutionary adaptation in insect species facing altered winter environments.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing studies on insect winter adaptation.
- Analysis of evidence for evolutionary changes in phenology and cold hardiness.
Main Results:
- The strongest evidence for evolutionary shifts in response to changing winters relates to phenological changes.
- Evidence also indicates that cold hardiness has the potential to evolve in response to climate change.
Conclusions:
- Evolutionary adaptation in phenology and cold hardiness are key factors for insect survival in changing climates.
- Understanding the extent of evolution in winter traits is critical for predicting insect population dynamics and range shifts.
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