scholarly journals Distribution of iridescent colours in hummingbird communities results from the interplay between selection for camouflage and communication

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Gruson ◽  
Marianne Elias ◽  
Juan L. Parra ◽  
Christine Andraud ◽  
Serge Berthier ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Character Displacement ◽  
Specific Aspect ◽  
Community Level ◽  
Observation Angle ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Similar Appearance ◽  
Peer Community

AbstractIdentification errors between closely related, co-occurring, species may lead to misdirected social interactions such as costly interbreeding or misdirected aggression. This selects for divergence in traits involved in species identification among co-occurring species, resulting from character displacement. On the other hand, predation may select for crypsis, potentially leading co-occurring species that share the same environment and predators to have a similar appearance. However, few studies have explored how these antagonistic processes influence colour at the community level. Here, we assess colour clustering and overdispersion in 189 hummingbird communities, tallying 112 species, across Ecuador and suggest possible evolutionary mechanisms at stake by controlling for species phylogenetic relatedness. In hummingbirds, most colours are iridescent structural colours, defined as colours that change with the illumination or observation angle. Because small variations in the underlying structures can have dramatic effects on the resulting colours and because iridescent structures can produce virtually any hue and brightness, we expect iridescent colours to respond finely to selective pressures. Moreover, we predict that hue angular dependence – a specific aspect of iridescent colours – may be used as an additional channel for species recognition. In our hummingbird assemblages in Ecuador, we find support for colour overdispersion in ventral and facial patches at the community level even after controlling for the phylogeny, especially on iridescence-related traits, suggesting character displacement among co-occurring species. We also find colour clustering at the community level on dorsal patches, suspected to be involved in camouflage, suggesting that the same cryptic colours are selected among co-occurring species.This article has been peer-reviewed and recommended by Peer Community In Evolutionary Biology

scholarly journals Identifying drivers of parallel evolution: A regression model approach

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan F. Bailey ◽  
Qianyun Guo ◽  
Thomas Bataillon
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Parallel Evolution ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
Evolutionary Changes ◽  
Gene Level ◽  
Peer Community ◽  
Mutation And Selection

AbstractThis preprint has been reviewed and recommended by Peer Community In Evolutionary Biology (http://dx.doi.org/10.24072/pci.evolbiol.100045). Parallel evolution, defined as identical changes arising in independent populations, is often attributed to similar selective pressures favoring the fixation of identical genetic changes. However, some level of parallel evolution is also expected if mutation rates are heterogeneous across regions of the genome. Theory suggests that mutation and selection can have equal impacts on patterns of parallel evolution, however empirical studies have yet to jointly quantify the importance of these two processes. Here, we introduce several statistical models to examine the contributions of mutation and selection heterogeneity to shaping parallel evolutionary changes at the gene-level. Using this framework we analyze published data from forty experimentally evolved Saccharomyces cerevisiae populations. We can partition the effects of a number of genomic variables into those affecting patterns of parallel evolution via effects on the rate of arising mutations, and those affecting the retention versus loss of the arising mutations (i.e. selection). Our results suggest that gene-to-gene heterogeneity in both mutation and selection, associated with gene length, recombination rate, and number of protein domains drive parallel evolution at both synonymous and nonsynonymous sites. While there are still a number of parallel changes that are not well described, we show that allowing for heterogeneous rates of mutation and selection can provide improved predictions of the prevalence and degree of parallel evolution.Data archival locationDryad, doi to be included later

scholarly journals Range-wide spatial mapping reveals convergent character displacement of bird song

2019 ◽  
Vol 286 (1902) ◽  
pp. 20190443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander N. G. Kirschel ◽  
Nathalie Seddon ◽  
Joseph A. Tobias
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Patterns ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Environmental Gradients ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Remote Sensing Data ◽  
Character Displacement ◽  
Similar Species ◽  
Interspecific Territoriality ◽  
Coexisting Species

A long-held view in evolutionary biology is that character displacement generates divergent phenotypes in closely related coexisting species to avoid the costs of hybridization or ecological competition, whereas an alternative possibility is that signals of dominance or aggression may instead converge to facilitate coexistence among ecological competitors. Although this counterintuitive process—termed convergent agonistic character displacement—is supported by recent theoretical and empirical studies, the extent to which it drives spatial patterns of trait evolution at continental scales remains unclear. By modelling the variation in song structure of two ecologically similar species of Hypocnemis antbird across western Amazonia, we show that their territorial signals converge such that trait similarity peaks in the sympatric zone, where intense interspecific territoriality between these taxa has previously been demonstrated. We also use remote sensing data to show that signal convergence is not explained by environmental gradients and is thus unlikely to evolve by sensory drive (i.e. acoustic adaptation to the sound transmission properties of habitats). Our results suggest that agonistic character displacement driven by interspecific competition can generate spatial patterns opposite to those predicted by classic character displacement theory, and highlight the potential role of social selection in shaping geographical variation in signal phenotypes of ecological competitors.

scholarly journals Searching for principles of microbial physiology

2020 ◽  
Vol 44 (6) ◽  
pp. 821-844
Author(s):  
Frank J Bruggeman ◽  
Robert Planqué ◽  
Douwe Molenaar ◽  
Bas Teusink
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Growth Rate ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Basic Principles ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
State Growth ◽  
Microbial Systems ◽  
Working Out

ABSTRACT Why do evolutionarily distinct microorganisms display similar physiological behaviours? Why are transitions from high-ATP yield to low(er)-ATP yield metabolisms so widespread across species? Why is fast growth generally accompanied with low stress tolerance? Do these regularities occur because most microbial species are subject to the same selective pressures and physicochemical constraints? If so, a broadly-applicable theory might be developed that predicts common microbiological behaviours. Microbial systems biologists have been working out the contours of this theory for the last two decades, guided by experimental data. At its foundations lie basic principles from evolutionary biology, enzyme biochemistry, metabolism, cell composition and steady-state growth. The theory makes predictions about fitness costs and benefits of protein expression, physicochemical constraints on cell growth and characteristics of optimal metabolisms that maximise growth rate. Comparisons of the theory with experimental data indicates that microorganisms often aim for maximisation of growth rate, also in the presence of stresses; they often express optimal metabolisms and metabolic proteins at optimal concentrations. This review explains the current status of the theory for microbiologists; its roots, predictions, experimental evidence and future directions.

scholarly journals Cost of resistance: an unreasonably expensive concept

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas Lenormand ◽  
Noémie Harmand ◽  
Romain Gallet
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Resistance Mutation ◽  
Evolutionary Genetics ◽  
Resistance Mutations ◽  
Fitness Effects ◽  
Current Usage ◽  
Important Addition ◽  
Cost Of Resistance ◽  
Peer Community ◽  
The Cost

AbstractThis preprint has been reviewed and recommended by Peer Community In Evolutionary Biology (https://doi.org/10.24072/pci.evolbiol.100052). The cost of resistance, or the fitness effect of resistance mutation in absence of the drug, is a very widepsread concept in evolutionary genetics and beyond. It has represented an important addition to the simplistic view that resistance mutations should solely be considered as beneficial mutations. Yet, this concept also entails a series of serious difficulties in its definition, interpretation and current usage. In many cases, it may be simpler, clearer, and more insightful to study, measure and analyze the fitness effects of mutations across environments and to better distinguish those effects from ‘pleiotropic effects’ of those mutations.

scholarly journals Neutral evolution test of the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2 and its implications in the binding to ACE2

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Georgina I. López-Cortés ◽  
Miryam Palacios-Pérez ◽  
Gabriel S. Zamudio ◽  
Hannya F. Veledíaz ◽  
Enrique Ortega ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Neutral Theory ◽  
Purifying Selection ◽  
Spike Protein ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Neutral Evolution ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Theory Of Evolution ◽  
Selective Pressures

AbstractAs the SARS-CoV-2 has spread and the pandemic has dragged on, the virus continued to evolve rapidly resulting in the emergence of new highly transmissible variants that can be of public health concern. The evolutionary mechanisms that drove this rapid diversity are not well understood but neutral evolution should open the first insight. The neutral theory of evolution states that most mutations in the nucleic acid sequences are random and they can be fixed or disappear by purifying selection. Herein, we performed a neutrality test to better understand the selective pressures exerted over SARS-CoV-2 spike protein from homologue proteins of Betacoronavirus, as well as to the spikes from human clinical isolates of the virus. Specifically, Tyr and Asn have higher occurrence rates on the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) and in the overall sequence of spike proteins of Betacoronavirus, whereas His and Arg have lower occurrence rates. The in vivo evolutionary phenomenon of SARS-CoV-2 shows that Glu, Lys, Phe, and Val have the highest probability of occurrence in the emergent viral particles. Amino acids that have higher occurrence than the expected by the neutral control, are favorable and are fixed in the sequence while the ones that have lower occurrence than expected, influence the stability and/or functionality of the protein. Our results show that most unique mutations either for SARS-CoV-2 or its variants of health concern are under selective pressures, which could be related either to the evasion of the immune system, increasing the virus’ fitness or altering protein – protein interactions with host proteins. We explored the consequences of those selected mutations in the structure and protein – protein interaction with the receptor. Altogether all these forces have shaped the spike protein and the continually evolving variants.

scholarly journals Variation in competitive ability with mating system, ploidy and range expansion in four Capsella species

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuyue Yang ◽  
Martin Lascoux ◽  
Sylvain Glémin
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
Range Expansion ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Competitive Ability ◽  
Vegetative Traits ◽  
Evolutionary Trajectories ◽  
Self Fertilization ◽  
Peer Community ◽  
Meta Analyses ◽  
Selfing Species

AbstractThis preprint has been reviewed and recommended by Peer Community In Evolutionary Biology (https://dx.doi.org/10.24072/pci.evolbiol.100054)Self-fertilization is often associated with ecological traits corresponding to the ruderal strategy in Grime’s Competitive-Stress-tolerant-Ruderal (CSR) classification of ecological strategies. Consequently, selfers are expected to be less competitive than outcrossers, either because of a colonization/competition trade-off or because of the deleterious genetic effects of selfing. Range expansion could reduce further competitive ability while polyploidy could mitigate the effects of selfing. Although suggested by meta-analyses, these predictions have not been directly tested yet. We compared the competitive ability of four Capsella species differing by their mating system and ploidy level. For vegetative traits we found no difference in competitive ability neither among species nor among populations. For flower production, we found that the two diploid selfing species (C. rubella and C. orientalis) were more sensitive to competition than the diploid outcrosser (C. grandiflora), and that the tetraploid selfer (C. bursa-pastoris) was intermediate. Within C. bursa-pastoris, we also found that sensitivity to competition increased in parallel to range expansion. These results highlight the possible roles of ecological context and ploidy in the evolutionary trajectories of selfing species.

scholarly journals Asymmetric interspecific competition drives shifts in signalling traits in fan-throated lizards

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1940) ◽  
pp. 20202141
Author(s):  
Amod M. Zambre ◽  
Akshay Khandekar ◽  
Rajesh Sanap ◽  
Clairissa O'Brien ◽  
Emilie C. Snell-Rood ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Interspecific Competition ◽  
Species Recognition ◽  
Character Displacement ◽  
Social Signals ◽  
Lizard Species ◽  
Male Aggression ◽  
Species Overlap ◽  
Asymmetric Pattern ◽  
Competitor Recognition

Interspecific competition can occur when species are unable to distinguish between conspecific and heterospecific mates or competitors when they occur in sympatry. Selection in response to interspecific competition can lead to shifts in signalling traits—a process called agonistic character displacement. In two fan-throated lizard species— Sitana laticeps and Sarada darwini —females are morphologically indistinguishable and male agonistic signalling behaviour is similar. Consequently, in areas where these species overlap, males engage in interspecific aggressive interactions. To test whether interspecific male aggression between Si. laticeps and Sa. darwini results in agonistic character displacement, we quantified species recognition and signalling behaviour using staged encounter assays with both conspecifics and heterospecifics across sympatric and allopatric populations of both species. We found an asymmetric pattern, wherein males of Si. laticeps but not Sa. darwini showed differences in competitor recognition and agonistic signalling traits (morphology and behaviour) in sympatry compared with allopatry. This asymmetric shift in traits is probably due to differences in competitive abilities between species and can minimize competitive interactions in zones of sympatry. Overall, our results support agonistic character displacement, and highlight the role of asymmetric interspecific competition in driving shifts in social signals.

Evolution in Cities

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah E. Diamond ◽  
Ryan A. Martin
Keyword(s):  
Online Publication ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Annual Review ◽  
Publication Date ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Research Directions ◽  
Evolutionary Forces ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Biology Research

Although research performed in cities will not uncover new evolutionary mechanisms, it could provide unprecedented opportunities to examine the interplay of evolutionary forces in new ways and new avenues to address classic questions. However, while the variation within and among cities affords many opportunities to advance evolutionary biology research, careful alignment between how cities are used and the research questions being asked is necessary to maximize the insights that can be gained. In this review, we develop a framework to help guide alignment between urban evolution research approaches and questions. Using this framework, we highlight what has been accomplished to date in the field of urban evolution and identify several up-and-coming research directions for further expansion. We conclude that urban environments can be used as evolutionary test beds to tackle both new and long-standing questions in evolutionary biology. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics, Volume 52 is November 2021. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

The Evolution of an Idea

2020 ◽  
pp. 29-47
Author(s):  
Dominic D. P. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Social Sciences ◽  
International Relations ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Cognitive Biases ◽  
Evolutionary Approach ◽  
Psychological Phenomena ◽  
Selective Pressures ◽  
The Social ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Brain

This chapter considers how and why international relations might benefit from an evolutionary approach. It explains the evolutionary biology's long history of misunderstanding and resistance in the social sciences since the “sociobiology” debate of the 1970s. It also reviews how the natural and social sciences have both moved on since the 1970s, including the promise for a future of mutual collaboration on strategic instincts. The chapter focuses on evolutionary biology to understand the origins and functions of cognitive biases and comprehend the selective pressures that shaped the brain in the first place. It addresses the question of whether psychological phenomena originate from nature or nurture.

Entailments of the Cellular Basis of Consciousness Stance

2018 ◽  
pp. 162-220
Author(s):  
Arthur S. Reber
Keyword(s):  
Philosophy Of Mind ◽  
Cell Biology ◽  
Evolutionary Biology ◽  
Ethical Considerations ◽  
Evolutionary Mechanisms ◽  
Cellular Basis ◽  
Cognitive Neurosciences ◽  
Hierarchical Nature

The CBC model has a number of implications for evolutionary biology, the cognitive neurosciences, consciousness science, micro- and cell-biology, and philosophy, particularly the philosophy of mind. A section covers the hierarchical nature of evolutionary mechanisms emphasizing why basic, early evolved functions (like awareness) become fixed and stable and are present in all later-evolved species. Special sections cover other, related topics such as reductionism (where a pragmatic form is recommended), the need to avoid an uncomfortable mysterianism that has crept into philosophy, whether plants are also conscious (probably not but I’m willing to be persuaded otherwise), ethical considerations of universal sentience, and the possibility of altruism in bacteria. A cluster of specific problems that emerge from the CBC also are discussed, such as how multicellular species emerged, how the sentience of single-celled organisms morphed into the focal awareness of the collective.

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