Climate change, adaptation, and phenotypic plasticity: the problem and the evidence

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 1 - 14

Published: Jan. 1, 2014

Abstract Many studies have recorded phenotypic changes in natural populations and attributed them to climate change. However, controversy uncertainty has arisen around three levels of inference such studies. First, it proven difficult conclusively distinguish whether are genetically based or the result plasticity. Second, not change is adaptive usually assumed rather than tested. Third, inferences that specific causal agent rarely involved testing – exclusion other potential drivers. We here review various ways which above been attempted, evaluate strength support each approach can provide. This methodological assessment sets stage for 11 accompanying articles attempt comprehensive syntheses what currently known about responses a variety taxa theory. Summarizing relying on results these reviews, we arrive at conclusion evidence genetic adaptation found some systems, but still relatively scarce. Most importantly, clear more needed must employ better inferential methods before general conclusions be drawn. Overall, hope present paper special issue provide inspiration future research guidelines best practices its execution.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary and plastic responses to climate change in terrestrial plant populations

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 123 - 139

Published: Oct. 14, 2013

Abstract As climate change progresses, we are observing widespread changes in phenotypes many plant populations. Whether these phenotypic directly caused by change, and whether they result from plasticity or evolution, active areas of investigation. Here, review terrestrial studies addressing questions. Plastic evolutionary responses to clearly occurring. Of the 38 that met our criteria for inclusion, all found plastic responses, with 26 showing both. These however, may be insufficient keep pace as indicated eight 12 examined this directly. There is also mixed evidence adaptive, contemporary climatic changes. We discuss factors will likely influence extent including patterns environmental changes, species’ life history characteristics generation time breeding system, degree direction gene flow. Future standardized methodologies, especially those use direct approaches assessing over time, sharing data through public databases, facilitate better predictions capacity populations respond rapid change.

Language: Английский

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Plastic and evolutionary responses to climate change in fish

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2014, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 68 - 87

Published: Jan. 1, 2014

Abstract The physical and ecological ‘fingerprints’ of anthropogenic climate change over the past century are now well documented in many environments taxa. We reviewed evidence for phenotypic responses to recent fish. Changes timing migration reproduction, age at maturity, juvenile migration, growth, survival fecundity were associated primarily with changes temperature. Although these traits can evolve rapidly, only two studies attributed formally evolutionary mechanisms. correlation‐based methods most frequently employed point largely ‘fine‐grained’ population environmental variability (i.e. rapid relative generation time), consistent plastic Ultimately, species will likely adapt long‐term warming trends overlaid on natural oscillations. Considering strong plasticity all studied, we recommend development expanded use capable detecting change, such as long term study selection coefficients temporal shifts reaction norms, increased attention forecasting adaptive response synergistic interactions multiple pressures be change.

Language: Английский

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Do Vertebrate Gut Metagenomes Confer Rapid Ecological Adaptation?

Trends in Ecology & Evolution, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 31(9), P. 689 - 699

Published: July 21, 2016

Language: Английский

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Natural history collections as windows on evolutionary processes

Molecular Ecology, Journal Year: 2016, Volume and Issue: 25(4), P. 864 - 881

Published: Jan. 12, 2016

Natural history collections provide an immense record of biodiversity on Earth. These repositories have traditionally been used to address fundamental questions in biogeography, systematics and conservation. However, they also hold the potential for studying evolution directly. While some best direct observations come from long-term field studies or experimental laboratory, natural are providing new insights into evolutionary change populations. By comparing phenotypic genotypic changes populations through time, a window processes. Recent utilizing this approach revealed dramatic instances over short timescales response presumably strong selective pressures. In instances, can be paired with environmental change, context forces. Moreover, few cases, genetic basis is well understood, allowing insight adaptive at multiple levels. kinds open door wide range previously intractable by enabling study analogous but amenable diversity species longer

Language: Английский

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Rapid evolution of quantitative traits: theoretical perspectives

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 169 - 191

Published: Dec. 6, 2013

An increasing number of studies demonstrate phenotypic and genetic changes in natural populations that are subject to climate change, there is hope some these will contribute avoiding species extinctions ('evolutionary rescue'). Here, we review theoretical models rapid evolution quantitative traits can shed light on the potential for adaptation a changing climate. Our focus quantitative-genetic with selection moving optimum. We point out no one-to-one relationship between rate population survival, because former depends relative fitness latter absolute fitness. Nevertheless, previous estimates sustainable rates genetically based change usually do not exceed 0.1 haldanes (i.e., standard deviations per generation) probably correct. Survival be greatly facilitated by plasticity, heritable variation plasticity further speed up evolution. Multivariate correlations frequently assumed constrain adaptation, but this necessarily case geometric landscape structure variation. Similar conclusions hold shifting spatial gradients. Recent multispecies communities indicate strongly influenced interspecific competition.

Language: Английский

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The complex drivers of thermal acclimation and breadth in ectotherms

Ecology Letters, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 21(9), P. 1425 - 1439

Published: July 16, 2018

Abstract Thermal acclimation capacity, the degree to which organisms can alter their optimal performance temperature and critical thermal limits with changing temperatures, reflects ability respond variability thus might be important for coping global climate change. Here, we combine simulation modelling analysis of published data on breadth (range temperatures over perform well) develop a framework predicting plasticity across taxa, latitudes, body sizes, traits, habitats methodological factors. Our synthesis includes > 2000 measures capacities from 500 species ectotherms spanning fungi, invertebrates, vertebrates freshwater, marine terrestrial habitats. We find that size, latitude, factors often interact shape responses rate scales negatively contributing general negative association between size species. Additionally, reveal capacity increases latitude (to mid‐latitudinal zones) seasonality smaller but not larger organisms, decreases safety margin (upper lethal minus maximum environmental temperatures), is regularly underestimated because experimental artefacts. then demonstrate our predict contribution IUCN threat status amphibians globally, suggesting phenotypic already buffering some

Language: Английский

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Thermal adaptation revisited: How conserved are thermal traits of reptiles and amphibians?

Journal of Experimental Zoology Part A Ecological and Integrative Physiology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 335(1), P. 173 - 194

Published: Sept. 24, 2020

Ectothermic animals, such as amphibians and reptiles, are particularly sensitive to rapidly warming global temperatures. One response in these organisms may be evolve aspects of their thermal physiology. If this is adaptive can occur on the appropriate time scale, it facilitate population or species persistence changed environments. However, physiological traits have classically been thought too slowly keep pace with environmental change longer-lived vertebrates. Even empirical work mid-20th century offers mixed support for conservatism traits, generalization low evolutionary potential commonly invoked. Here, we revisit hypothesis better understand mechanisms guiding timing patterns evolution. Characterizing interactions among evolution, plasticity, behavior, ontogenetic shifts physiology critical accurate prediction how will respond our world. Recent provides evidence that not evolutionarily rigid once believed, many examples divergence several at multiple phylogenetic scales. slow rates evolution often still observed, warm end performance curve. Furthermore, context-specificity responses makes broad generalizations about evolvability tenuous. We outline factors considerations require closer scrutiny predict reptile amphibian climate change, regarding underlying genetic architecture facilitating limiting

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary and plastic responses of freshwater invertebrates to climate change: realized patterns and future potential

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 42 - 55

Published: Oct. 10, 2013

Abstract We integrated the evidence for evolutionary and plastic trait changes in situ response to climate change freshwater invertebrates (aquatic insects zooplankton). The synthesis on expected reductions hydroperiod increases salinity indicated little adaptive, plastic, genetic local adaptation. With respect responses temperature, there are many studies temporal phenology body size wild that believed be driven by temperature increases, but is a general lack of rigorous demonstration whether these genetically based, causally change. Current proof under stems from limited set common garden experiments replicated time. Experimental thermal evolution warming associated with space‐for‐time substitutions along latitudinal gradients indicate besides changes, also phenotypic plasticity likely contribute observed aquatic invertebrates. Apart adjustments, photoperiod adjustments widespread may even dominate phenological shifts.

Language: Английский

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Climate warming and Bergmann's rule through time: is there any evidence?

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 7(1), P. 156 - 168

Published: Nov. 25, 2013

Climate change is expected to induce many ecological and evolutionary changes. Among these the hypothesis that climate warming will cause a reduction in body size. This stems from Bergmann's rule, trend whereby species exhibit smaller size warmer climates, larger under colder conditions endotherms. The mechanisms behind this rule are still debated, it not clear whether can be extended predict effects of through time. We reviewed primary literature for evidence (i) decrease response warming, (ii) changing an adaptive (iii) responses or plastic. found weak changes time as predicted by rule. Only three studies investigated nature decreases. Of these, none reported selection genetic basis change, suggesting decreases could due nonadaptive plasticity environmental conditions. More needed before firm conclusions drawn about underlying causes climate.

Language: Английский

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