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

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural Selection and Adaptation

Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations,...

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.

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

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.

What is Natural Selection?

What is Natural Selection?

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.

Evolutionary Psychology

Evolutionary Psychology

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Epigenetic variation can promote adaptation by smoothing rugged fitness landscapes.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2026

Same author

Spatial clustering of hosts can favor specialist parasites.

Ecology and evolution·2024

Same author

Demographic feedbacks during evolutionary rescue can slow or speed adaptive evolution.

Proceedings. Biological sciences·2024

Same author

Bet-hedging via dispersal aids the evolution of plastic responses to unreliable cues.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2023

Same author

Exploring the expanse between theoretical questions and experimental approaches in the modern study of evolvability.

Journal of experimental zoology. Part B, Molecular and developmental evolution·2022

Same author

Phenotypic variability can promote the evolution of adaptive plasticity by reducing the stringency of natural selection.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2019

Same journal

From head to tail: does habitat use drive morphological variation in snakes?

Journal of evolutionary biology·2026

Same journal

Plant hormone manipulation impacts salt spray tolerance, which preempts herbivory as a driver of local adaptation in the yellow monkeyflower, Mimulus guttatus.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2026

Same journal

Influence of the resource acquisition-allocation Y-model's parameters on the detection of phenotypic trade-offs.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2026

Same journal

Chromosomal inversions may assist acute salinity and temperature adaptation in Atlantic cod eggs.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2026

Same journal

Quantitative genetics of shy-bold behaviour and plastic response to novel predator cues in the cherry shrimp, Neocaridina davidi.

Journal of evolutionary biology·2026

Same journal

Do interactions between different Selfish Genetic Elements matter?

Journal of evolutionary biology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Published on: September 20, 2016

Evolutionary rescue by adaptive specialization in rapidly changing environments.

Jeremy A Draghi¹

¹Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, United States.

Journal of Evolutionary Biology

|December 23, 2025

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Specialist mutants can invade and prevent extinction during rapid environmental change by ignoring unfit habitats and increasing evolvability. Evolutionary rescue via specialization can be prevented by altering environmental change schedules.

Keywords:

evolutionary rescue evolvability modelling niche breadth specialization

More Related Videos

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 8, 2026

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Procedure for Adaptive Laboratory Evolution of Microorganisms Using a Chemostat

Published on: September 20, 2016

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Resurrection of Dormant Daphnia magna: Protocol and Applications

Published on: January 19, 2018

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Author Spotlight: Understanding Microbe Adaptation Using Innovative Techniques for Exploring Thermophilic Evolution

Published on: June 14, 2024

Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Ecology
Population genetics

Background:

A narrow ecological niche may enhance adaptation speed but can correlate with reduced evolvability.
The success of specialist mutants under environmental change, considering ecological costs, remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate if specialist mutants can invade and achieve evolutionary rescue during rapid environmental change.
To identify the mechanisms behind specialist mutant advantages and factors influencing evolutionary rescue by specialization.

Main Methods:

Simulation models were used to study asexual populations.
The study focused on the interplay between niche width, evolvability, and environmental change.

Main Results:

Specialist mutants can invade and prevent extinction during rapid environmental change.
Successful specialists benefit from immediate habitat avoidance and enhanced long-term evolvability.
The timing of environmental change significantly impacts the success of evolutionary rescue by specialization.

Conclusions:

Specialization can drive fundamental population changes under strong adaptive pressure.
Understanding these mechanisms has implications for conservation efforts and the rise of antibiotic resistance.