Natural Selection: Empirical Studies in the Wild

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on key concepts discussed in the lecture on natural selection, focusing on empirical studies, examples, and implications.

Natural Selection

The process through which species adapt to their environment, with traits that enhance survival and reproduction becoming more common in successive generations.

Adaptive Radiation

The rapid evolution of diversely adapted species from a common ancestor, often seen in isolated environments.

Beak Size Heritability

The degree to which beak size, which influences feeding efficiency in finches, is genetically inherited; estimates range from 65% to 90% heritable.

Drought Selection Pressure

Environmental stress, such as drought, that influences natural selection by favoring traits (e.g., larger beak sizes) that improve survival under the new conditions.

Selection Fluctuations

Variations in selection pressures over time which can lead to changes in the frequency of certain traits within a population.

Migration Rates

The movement of individuals in and out of populations; low migration rates can lead to changes in allele frequencies primarily due to selection rather than gene flow.

Stabilizing Selection

A form of natural selection that favors intermediate variations of a trait and selects against extreme phenotypes.

Parallel Evolution

The independent evolution of similar traits in different species due to similar environmental pressures.

Evolutionary Reversal

The process where a trait in a population reverts to a previous state, often due to changes in environmental conditions.

Artificial Selection

The intentional breeding of certain traits in organisms by humans, leading to rapid changes in populations.