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Related Concept Videos

The Evidence for Evolution02:55

The Evidence for Evolution

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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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Speciation Rates01:07

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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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Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.
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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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While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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[Small scale evolution].

Jean-Michel Gibert1

  • 1Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Institut de Biologie Paris-Seine (IBPS), Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement, UMR 7622, 9 quai St-Bernard 75005 Paris, France.

Biologie Aujourd'Hui
|July 25, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Microevolution studies investigate evolutionary forces like mutation and selection within species. Analyzing ancient DNA and genetic variations helps reconstruct past populations and understand phenotypic diversification, such as Galapagos finch beak evolution.

Keywords:
adaptationespècegeneticsgénétiquemicroevolutionmicroévolutionsmall scale evolutionspeciesévolution à petite échelle

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Microevolution examines evolutionary forces (mutation, genetic drift, migration, selection) at the intra-specific level.
  • Short evolutionary timescales facilitate identifying the genetic basis of phenotypic differences.
  • Ancient DNA analysis offers insights into population history and past phenotypes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review studies on microevolutionary processes and their genetic underpinnings.
  • To illustrate species formation mechanisms using geographical and genetic barriers.
  • To highlight methods for identifying genetic bases of phenotypic variation.

Main Methods:

  • Candidate gene approach for melanism in felines.
  • Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL) mapping for stickleback lateral plate variation.
  • Association studies for ladybird pigmentation.

Main Results:

  • Geographical barriers (Isthmus of Panama) and heterochromatin divergence in Drosophilidae contribute to reproductive isolation.
  • Genetic basis of phenotypic variations identified through various approaches.
  • Natural selection and developmental genes drive significant morphological diversification, exemplified by Galapagos finches.

Conclusions:

  • Microevolutionary studies, including ancient DNA, are crucial for understanding evolutionary history and phenotypic adaptation.
  • Diverse methodologies effectively uncover the genetic architecture of evolutionary change.
  • The interplay of selection and developmental genetics shapes species diversification.