Naslov
Rapid large-scale evolutionary divergence in morphology and performance associated with exploitation of a different dietary resource

Autori
Herrel, Anthony ; Huyghe, Katleen ; Vanhooydonck, Bieke ; Backeljau, Thierry ; Breugelmans, Karin ; Grbac, Irena ; Van Damme, Raoul ; Irschick, Duncan J.

Izvornik
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (0027-8424) 105 (2008), 12; 4792-4795

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
bite force; diet; evolution; gut structure

Sažetak
Although rapid adaptive changes in morphology on ecological time scales are now well documented in natural populations, the effects of such changes on whole-organism performance capacity and the consequences on ecological dynamics at the population level are often unclear. Here we show how lizards have rapidly evolved differences in head morphology, bite strength, and digestive tract structure after experimental introduction into a novel environment. Despite the short time scale (≈ 36 years) since this introduction, these changes in morphology and performance parallel those typically documented among species and even families of lizards in both the type and extent of their specialization. Moreover, these changes have occurred side-by-side with dramatic changes in population density and social structure, providing a compelling example of how the invasion of a novel habitat can evolutionarily drive multiple aspects of the phenotype.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Biologija

POVEZANOST RADA