Journal article
The phenomenology of niche evolution via quantitative traits in a black-hole sink
Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences, Vol.270(1511), pp.215-224
01/22/2003
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/104791
PMCID: PMC1691226
PMID: 12590763
Abstract
Previous studies of adaptive evolution in sink habitats (in which isolated populations of a species cannot persist deterministically) have highlighted the importance of demographic constraints in slowing such evolution, and of immigration in facilitating adaptation. These studies have relied upon either singlelocus models or deterministic quantitative genetic formulations. We use individualbased simulations to examine adaptive evolution in a blackhole sink environment where fitness is governed by a polygenic character. The simulations track both the number of individuals and their multilocus genotypes, and incorporate, in a natural manner, both demographic and genetic stochastic processes. In agreement with previous studies, our findings reveal the central parts played by demographic constraints and immigration in adaptation within a sink (adaptation is more difficult in environments with low absolute fitness, and higher immigration can accelerate adaptation). A novel finding is that there is a punctuational pattern in adaptive evolution in sink environments. Populations typically stay maladapted for a long time, and then rapidly shift into a relatively adapted state, in which persistence no longer depends upon recurrent immigration.
Previous studies of adaptive evolution in sink habitats (in which isolated populations of a species cannot persist deterministically) have highlighted the importance of demographic constraints in slowing such evolution, and of immigration in facilitating adaptation. These studies have relied upon either singlelocus models or deterministic quantitative genetic formulations. We use individualbased simulations to examine adaptive evolution in a blackhole sink environment where fitness is governed by a polygenic character. The simulations track both the number of individuals and their multilocus genotypes, and incorporate, in a natural manner, both demographic and genetic stochastic processes. In agreement with previous studies, our findings reveal the central parts played by demographic constraints and immigration in adaptation within a sink (adaptation is more difficult in environments with low absolute fitness, and higher immigration can accelerate adaptation). A novel finding is that there is a punctuational pattern in adaptive evolution in sink environments. Populations typically stay maladapted for a long time, and then rapidly shift into a relatively adapted state, in which persistence no longer depends upon recurrent immigration.
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Details
- Title
- The phenomenology of niche evolution via quantitative traits in a black-hole sink
- Creators
- R. D Holt - 111 Bartram Hall, Department of Zoology, University of FloridaR Gomulkiewicz - School of Biological Sciences and Department of MathematicsM Barfield - 111 Bartram Hall, Department of Zoology, University of Florida
- Publication Details
- Proceedings of the Royal Society. B, Biological sciences, Vol.270(1511), pp.215-224
- Academic Unit
- Biological Sciences, School of
- Publisher
- The Royal Society
- Identifiers
- 99900546741601842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article