Rapid adaptive evolution in novel environments acts as an architect of population range expansion.

ABSTRACT: Colonization and expansion into novel landscapes determine the distribution and abundance of species in our rapidly changing ecosystems worldwide. Colonization events are crucibles for rapid evolution, but it is not known whether evolutionary changes arise mainly after successful colonization has occurred, or if evolution plays an immediate role, governing the growth and expansion speed of colonizing populations. There is evidence that spatial evolutionary processes can speed range expansion within a few generations because dispersal tendencies may evolve upwards at range edges. Additionally, rapid adaptation to a novel environment can increase population growth rates, which also promotes spread. However, the role of adaptive evolution and the relative contributions of spatial evolution an

SUBMITTER: Szucs M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5754790 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature