engleski

Rapid evolution in Italian wall lizard (Podarcis siculus)

The modern synthesis defines evolution as a change in genotypic (or allelic) frequencies from one generation to the next. Evolution is usually regarded as slow process of gradual change of a species, and as such, is difficult to be tested and witnessed in shorter time span. Yet, there is growing evidence from modern scientific studies that relative quick changes in some populations emerged. Biological invasions are especially good models to study the rate and extent of evolutionary events upon encountering novel environments, especially on islands ecosystem. Here, we present one lizard species as a model for rapid evolution. Podarcis siculus is typical small lacertid lizard widely distributed through Eastern Adriatic islands. One of these populations has been subjected to experimental introductions of known date and location that have given rise to a spectacular phenotypic divergence in morphology and ecology in a relatively short time span of 35 years. The evolutionary rates observed between divergent P. siculus populations are among the highest ever recorded in natural populations, making this system as excellent model for studying rapid evolution. The main issue in such systems is to discriminate between evolution and phenotypic plasticity. There is a ongoing research project led by assist. prof. Anamaria Štambuk from Faculty of Science of University of Zagreb with aim to do so. The project combines common garden crossing experiments and population genomic to test weather observed the rapid phenotypic divergence has a genetic background indicating rapid evolution or it is result on inherited phenotypic plasticity.

Biological introduction, island effect, phenotypic plasticity, Podarcis siculus, rapid evolution

nije evidentirano