Island selection on mammalian life-histories: genetic differentiation in offspring size.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Since Darwin's pioneering work, evolutionary changes in isolated island populations of vertebrates have continued to provide the strongest evidence for the theory of natural selection. Besides macro-evolutionary changes, micro-evolutionary changes and the relative importance of natural selection vs. genetic drift are under intense investigation. Our study focuses on the genetic differentiation in morphological and life-history traits in insular populations of a small mammal the bank vole Myodes glareolus.

Results

Our results do not support the earlier findings for larger adult size or lower reproductive effort in insular populations of small mammals. However, the individuals living on islands produced larger offspring than individuals living on the mainland. Genet

SUBMITTER: Mappes T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2584046 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature