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

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.

Genetics of Speciation

Genetics of Speciation

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

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...

Formation of Species

Formation of Species

Speciation describes the formation of one or more new species from one or sometimes multiple original species. The resulting species are discrete from the parent species, and barriers to reproduction will typically exist. There are two primary mechanisms, speciation with and without geographic isolation—allopatric and sympatric speciation, respectively.

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

Gene Evolution - Fast or Slow?

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.
In contrast, regions which code...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Avian lung single-cell atlas elucidates evolutionary divergence in endothermic respiration.

Molecular biology and evolution·2026

Same author

Migration-driven microbial adaptation and ecological spillover in birds.

ISME communications·2026

Same author

Population Genomics and Climate Change Vulnerability in Two Sympatric Desert Rodents.

Global change biology·2025

Same author

Balancing selection of climate adaptive loci underlies the success of introduction of Eurasian Tree Sparrows.

Science advances·2025

Same author

Revaluation of the genetic diversity-area relationship by integrating nucleotide and haplotype diversity.

Current zoology·2025

Same author

Phenotypic plasticity co-varies with elevational range in two avian species of elevational migrants in the Himalayas.

Nature communications·2025

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Mass-Rearing and Molecular Studies in Tortricidae Pest Insects

Mass-Rearing and Molecular Studies in Tortricidae Pest Insects

Published on: March 25, 2022

Genomic Evidence for Elevational Segregation and Adaptive Introgression in Prunellidae Radiation.

Xinlai Wu^1,2, Wenqing Zang^1,2, Per G P Ericson³

¹Key Laboratory of Animal Biodiversity Conservation and Integrated Pest Management, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.

Molecular Ecology

|December 19, 2025

Summary

Elevational segregation in mountain birds drives diversity. Adaptive introgression, particularly in low-elevation species, facilitated adaptation to higher altitudes and influenced evolutionary trajectories.

Keywords:

Prunellidae adaptive introgression elevational gradients natural selection speciation

More Related Videos

Laboratory Protocol for Genetic Gut Content Analyses of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Using Group-specific rDNA Primers

Laboratory Protocol for Genetic Gut Content Analyses of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Using Group-specific rDNA Primers

Published on: October 5, 2017

Assaying Predatory Feeding Behaviors in Pristionchus and Other Nematodes

Assaying Predatory Feeding Behaviors in Pristionchus and Other Nematodes

Published on: September 4, 2016

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 7, 2026

Mass-Rearing and Molecular Studies in Tortricidae Pest Insects

Mass-Rearing and Molecular Studies in Tortricidae Pest Insects

Published on: March 25, 2022

Laboratory Protocol for Genetic Gut Content Analyses of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Using Group-specific rDNA Primers

Laboratory Protocol for Genetic Gut Content Analyses of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Using Group-specific rDNA Primers

Published on: October 5, 2017

Assaying Predatory Feeding Behaviors in Pristionchus and Other Nematodes

Assaying Predatory Feeding Behaviors in Pristionchus and Other Nematodes

Published on: September 4, 2016

Area of Science:

Evolutionary Biology
Genomics
Ornithology

Background:

Mountainous environments and climate change can drive speciation and adaptation in species.
The combined effects on biodiversity across large geographic areas are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the genomic basis of diversification and adaptation in the avian family Prunellidae across Eurasian mountain ranges.
To explore the role of elevational gradients and glacial cycles in shaping genetic diversity and population dynamics.

Main Methods:

Comparative genomic analysis of Prunellidae species.
Analysis of genetic divergence (DXY) and genetic diversity across elevational gradients.
Demographic reconstructions to infer population responses to the Last Glacial Maximum.
Identification of genes under divergent and positive selection, and detection of interspecific introgression.

Main Results:

Low genetic divergence was observed among Prunellidae species.
High-elevation species exhibited greater genetic diversity and experienced population declines during the Last Glacial Maximum, with signatures of selection in genes related to stress response.
Low-elevation species showed population expansions, and introgression from low- to high-elevation lineages facilitated adaptation and range expansion.

Conclusions:

Elevational segregation is a key driver of montane avian diversity.
Adaptive introgression plays a significant role in the evolution of montane species, enabling adaptation to extreme environments and facilitating range shifts.