Adaptive evolution and inherent tolerance to extreme thermal environments.

ABSTRACT:

Background

When introduced to novel environments, the ability for a species to survive and rapidly proliferate corresponds with its adaptive potential. Of the many factors that can yield an environment inhospitable to foreign species, phenotypic response to variation in the thermal climate has been observed within a wide variety of species. Experimental evolution studies using bacteriophage model systems have been able to elucidate mutations, which may correspond with the ability of phage to survive modest increases/decreases in the temperature of their environment.

Results

Phage PhiX174 was subjected to both elevated (50 degrees C) and extreme (70 degrees C+) temperatures for anywhere from a few hours to days. While no decline in the phage's fitness was detected when it was

SUBMITTER: Cox J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2850354 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature