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Related Concept Videos

Keystone Species01:39

Keystone Species

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Measures of species biodiversity, such as richness (i.e., the number of species present) and evenness (i.e., their relative abundance), describe an ecological community’s structure. Many factors affect community structure, including abiotic factors (e.g., sunlight and nutrients), disturbances (e.g., fire or flood), species interactions (e.g., predation or competition), and chance events (e.g., foreign species invasion). Certain species—such as keystone species—also play a...
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Genetics of Speciation02:16

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Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
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The Evidence for Evolution02:55

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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.
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Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift01:09

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In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
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Gene Flow02:39

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Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
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The genomes of eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of sequence which do not code for proteins or RNAs. Although some of these regions do contain crucial regulatory sequences, the vast majority of this DNA serves no known function. Typically, these regions of the genome are the ones in which the fastest change, in evolutionary terms, is observed, because there is typically little to no selection pressure acting on these regions to preserve their sequences.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
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Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli

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Eco-evolutionary effects of keystone genes.

Patrik Nosil1, Zach Gompert2

  • 1CEFE, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, Université Paul Valéry Montpellier 3, Montpellier, France.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|March 31, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Specific gene evolution in species can rapidly alter ecosystems. This genetic adaptation is a key driver of ecological change and biodiversity shifts.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Ecology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Species possess specific genes that are subject to evolutionary pressures.
  • Ecological environments are dynamic and exert selective forces on populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the link between rapid gene evolution and subsequent ecological alterations.
  • To understand how genetic changes within a species can manifest as broader ecological shifts.

Main Methods:

  • Comparative genomics to identify rapidly evolving genes.
  • Ecological surveys to assess population dynamics and environmental interactions.
  • Phylogenetic analyses to track gene evolution over time.

Main Results:

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  • Identified specific genes exhibiting accelerated evolutionary rates in studied species.
  • Correlated the evolution of these genes with measurable changes in species' ecological niches.
  • Observed that genetic adaptation preceded significant ecological divergence.

    • Conclusions:

    • Rapid evolution of specific genes is a significant factor in driving ecological change.
    • Genetic innovation can provide the raw material for ecological adaptation and diversification.
    • Understanding gene-environment interactions is crucial for predicting species' responses to environmental shifts.