Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype02:27

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

6.7K
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.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
6.7K
Genetic Variation01:25

Genetic Variation

392
Genetic variation is the diversity in DNA sequences found among individuals of the same species. This diversity is crucial for a species' survival because it helps organisms adapt to environmental changes. Genetic variation begins with fertilization, where an egg and sperm cell merge. Each of these cells carries 23 chromosomes, up to 46 in the fertilized egg. Chromosomes are long DNA strands that contain genes, the basic units of heredity.
Genes exist in different versions called alleles,...
392
Gene Flow02:39

Gene Flow

35.6K
Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
35.6K
Genetic Drift03:33

Genetic Drift

40.7K
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.
40.7K
Hybrid Zones02:29

Hybrid Zones

20.2K
Hybrid zones are narrow regions where two closely related species interact, mate, and produce hybrids. Relative to either parent species, hybrids may possess distinct phenotypic or genetic differences that impact their survival and reproductive success. The genetic variances introduced by hybridization influence species diversity and speciation processes within the hybrid zone.
20.2K
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

19.5K
Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
19.5K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Adult sex ratios in captive reptiles, birds and mammals vary with the sex determination system.

Scientific reports·2026
Same author

Facing rising temperatures in urban environments: the role of phenological plasticity in an urban-dwelling passerine, Parus major.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same author

Facing rising temperatures in urban environments: the role of phenological plasticity in an urban-dwelling passerine, Parus major.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026
Same author

Tit wit: environmental and genetic drivers of cognitive variation along an urbanization gradient.

Animal cognition·2025
Same author

Behavioral DiverCity: individual differences in behavior change along an urbanization gradient.

Behavioral ecology : official journal of the International Society for Behavioral Ecology·2025
Same author

The city and forest bird flock together in a common garden: genetic and environmental effects drive urban phenotypic divergence.

Evolution; international journal of organic evolution·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 14, 2025

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

1.1K

Continental Patterns of Phenotypic Variation Along Replicated Urban Gradients: A Mega-Analysis.

M J Thompson1,2, J G A Martin3, C Biard4

  • 1Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, Montréal, QC, Canada.

Ecology Letters
|July 24, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Urbanization increases individual variation within bird populations, impacting eco-evolutionary dynamics. This study synthesizes long-term data to reveal how city environments shape phenotypic diversity in great and blue tits.

Keywords:
blue titcityenvironmental heterogeneitygreat titindividual diversityintraspecific variationlay datesubpopulationtarsus lengthurbanisation

More Related Videos

Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
07:40

Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations

Published on: October 29, 2016

11.2K
Conditions Affecting Social Space in Drosophila melanogaster
08:04

Conditions Affecting Social Space in Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: November 5, 2015

12.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Sep 14, 2025

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
04:52

Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations

Published on: February 3, 2023

1.1K
Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations
07:40

Monitoring Spatial Segregation in Surface Colonizing Microbial Populations

Published on: October 29, 2016

11.2K
Conditions Affecting Social Space in Drosophila melanogaster
08:04

Conditions Affecting Social Space in Drosophila melanogaster

Published on: November 5, 2015

12.4K

Area of Science:

  • Eco-evolutionary biology
  • Urban ecology
  • Population genetics

Background:

  • Individual variation is crucial for eco-evolutionary processes and evolutionary potential.
  • Urban environments drive rapid phenotypic changes, offering insights into adaptation.
  • Phenotypic differentiation in urban populations is well-documented on contemporary timescales.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate how urbanization influences phenotypic variation at different population levels.
  • To test hypotheses regarding the impact of urbanization on phenotypic diversity.
  • To synthesize continental-scale data on urbanization effects on avian traits.

Main Methods:

  • Mega-analysis of 21 long-term datasets.
  • Examination of variation in tarsus length and lay date.
  • Comparison of phenotypic variation among and within subpopulations of great tits (Parus major) and blue tits (Cyanistes caeruleus).

Main Results:

  • Urbanization is associated with an average 11% increase in phenotypic variation within subpopulations.
  • Phenotypic variation increased by up to 25% across species and traits studied.
  • Some evidence suggests urbanization increases differentiation between subpopulations (tarsus length in great tits).

Conclusions:

  • Urban contexts significantly impact individual diversity at multiple spatial scales.
  • Urbanization enhances within-subpopulation phenotypic variation.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the genetic and environmental drivers of observed urban phenotypic variation.