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Related Concept Videos

Natural Selection and Adaptation01:15

Natural Selection and Adaptation

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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,...
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Gene-Environment Interactions01:20

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Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
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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.
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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.
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Natural selection is an evolutionary process in which individuals with survival-promoting traits reproduce at higher rates. These favorable traits become more common within a population or species. Naturally selected traits initially arise via random genetic mutations. In order for selection to occur, there must be variation within a population, the trait controlling the variation must be heritable, and there must be an evolutionary advantage for variation in the trait.
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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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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 3, 2025

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Interactions between microenvironment, selection and genetic architecture drive multiscale adaptation in a simulation

Philippe Cubry1, Sylvie Oddou-Muratorio1, Ivan Scotti1

  • 1Ecologie des Forêts Méditerranéennes, URFM, INRAE, Avignon, France.

Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|February 16, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Within-population environmental heterogeneity is crucial for local adaptation, influencing migration success and maintaining genetic diversity. Accounting for this heterogeneity is essential for understanding adaptive processes across different scales.

Keywords:
local adaptationmicrogeographic adaptationsimulations

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Population Genetics

Background:

  • Multiscale adaptation arises from processes within and among populations.
  • Environmental heterogeneity at different scales can influence adaptive outcomes.
  • Understanding how within-population heterogeneity affects adaptation is key.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the joint effects of environmental heterogeneity, selection, and quantitative trait loci (QTL) on local adaptation.
  • To analyze how within-population environmental heterogeneity impacts migration and adaptive differentiation.
  • To determine the role of within-population heterogeneity in maintaining adaptive gene diversity.

Main Methods:

  • A simulation approach was used to model local adaptation.
  • The study analyzed hierarchical metapopulation designs.
  • Effects of environmental heterogeneity patterns, selection intensity, and number of QTL were examined.

Main Results:

  • Within-population heterogeneity increases occupancy at range margins, adaptation lag, and impacts genetic variance.
  • It reduces the erosion of adaptive gene diversity, especially with fewer QTL.
  • Phenotypic differentiation (QST) primarily results from QTL effect covariance, not differentiation (FSTq).

Conclusions:

  • Within-population environmental heterogeneity is a significant factor in local adaptation.
  • It is essential to consider within-population heterogeneity when studying adaptive processes.
  • High within-population differentiation can occur under specific conditions, potentially reducing among-population differentiation.