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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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What is Natural Selection?01:32

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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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Limits to Natural Selection01:38

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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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Evolutionary Psychology01:20

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Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the...
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Scientists record evolutionary history by analyzing fossil, morphological, and genetic data. The fossil record documents the history of life on Earth and provides evidence for evolution. However, both fossil and living organisms offer evidence that outlines Earth’s evolutionary history.
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 19, 2025

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

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Eco-evolutionary dynamics: An experimental demonstration in nature.

Andrew P Hendry1

  • 1Redpath Museum and Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.

Current Biology : CB
|August 8, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Ecological change spurs rapid evolution, which in turn influences ecosystems. Experiments with Timema stick insects show these evolutionary feedbacks are fast, potent, and stabilizing in nature.

Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Ecology
  • Behavioral ecology

Background:

  • Ecological changes are known to drive evolutionary adaptation in species.
  • The reciprocal effect of evolution on ecological dynamics, or ecological feedbacks, is less understood.
  • Understanding these feedbacks is crucial for predicting ecosystem responses to environmental change.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To experimentally demonstrate and quantify rapid, strong, and stabilizing ecological feedbacks driven by evolution in a natural system.
  • To investigate the role of Timema stick insects in their own ecosystem dynamics through evolutionary processes.

Main Methods:

  • Field-based experiments using natural populations of Timema stick insects.
  • Manipulation of ecological conditions and observation of subsequent evolutionary changes in insect populations.

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  • Measurement of the impact of these evolved traits on ecological parameters such as population dynamics and plant-insect interactions.

    • Main Results:

    • Evidence of rapid evolutionary responses in Timema stick insects to altered ecological conditions.
    • Demonstration that these evolved traits exert significant and stabilizing feedbacks on the insect's ecological environment.
    • Quantification of the strength and speed of these reciprocal evolutionary-ecological interactions.

    Conclusions:

    • Evolutionary change can rapidly and strongly feed back to influence ecological dynamics, leading to stabilizing effects.
    • Timema stick insects provide a powerful model system for studying rapid evolutionary-ecological feedbacks in nature.
    • These findings highlight the importance of considering coevolutionary processes in ecological predictions and conservation efforts.