Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

Genetic Drift

Genetic Drift

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.

Types of Selection

Types of Selection

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...

The Evidence for Evolution

The Evidence for Evolution

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.

Gene Flow

Gene Flow

Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.

Limits to Natural Selection

Limits to Natural Selection

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.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Mechanisms of adaptation in rapidly changing environments.

Trends in genetics : TIG·2026

Same author

Evolution of phenotypic plasticity owing to migration.

Evolution letters·2026

Same author

Spatial storage effect facilitates evolutionary rescue in rapidly changing environments.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2025

Same author

The evolutionary cost of homophily: Social stratification facilitates stable variant coexistence and increased rates of evolution in host-associated pathogens.

PLoS computational biology·2024

Same author

The evolutionary cost of homophily: social stratification facilitates stable variant coexistence and increased rates of evolution in host-associated pathogens.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2024

Same author

Seeing through noise in power laws.

Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·2023

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Rapid evolution of phenotypic plasticity in patchy habitats.

Nawsheen T Promy¹, Mitchell Newberry^2,3, Davorka Gulisija^4,5

¹Department of Computer Science, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, USA.

Scientific Reports

|November 6, 2023

Summary

Balancing selection can maintain genetic variation for phenotypic plasticity in patchy environments. This genetic polymorphism, sustained by population structure, may explain the rapid evolution of plasticity observed in nature.

More Related Videos

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions

Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions

Published on: March 9, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jul 11, 2025

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions

Field-Based Thermal Physiology Assay: Cold Shock Recovery under Ambient Conditions

Published on: March 9, 2021

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Population genetics

Background:

Phenotypic plasticity allows populations to persist through environmental changes.
Rapid evolution often relies on substantial genetic variation at selected genes.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate how balancing selection maintains genetic polymorphism for phenotypic plasticity.
To explore the role of population structure in patchy habitats for plasticity evolution.

Main Methods:

Stochastic Monte Carlo simulations.
Deterministic analysis of a plasticity modifier locus.
Examination of various parameters: selection, plasticity, population size, and migration.

Main Results:

Polymorphism in phenotypic plasticity is maintained across diverse environmental scenarios in patchy habitats.
Population structure in these habitats exerts a balancing effect, sustaining genetic variation.
Balancing selection is a plausible mechanism for maintaining polymorphism for plasticity.

Conclusions:

Population structure in patchy habitats can maintain genetic variation for phenotypic plasticity.
This mechanism offers a novel explanation for the rapid evolution of plasticity.
Immigration from populations with different selection regimes can facilitate rapid plasticity evolution from variation maintained by balancing selection.