International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 80-90 http://ecoevopublisher.com/index.php/ijmeb 85 4.2 Industrial melanism in peppered moths (environmental changes and selective pressures) Industrial melanism in the peppered moth (Biston betularia) is a classic example of natural selection driven by environmental changes. During the Industrial Revolution in England, pollution caused tree bark to darken, which in turn affected the camouflage of the moths. Dark-colored (melanic) moths had a survival advantage in polluted areas because they were less visible to predators compared to their lighter-colored counterparts. This led to an increase in the frequency of the melanic form in polluted environments. Recent studies using avian vision models and field experiments have provided strong evidence that the differential camouflage of the moth morphs directly relates to their predation risk. Pale moths more closely match lichen-covered backgrounds and have higher survival rates in unpolluted woodlands, while melanic moths are better camouflaged in pollutedareas (Enbody et al., 2022). This case study underscores the role of environmental changes and selective pressures in driving adaptive evolution (Carvajal-Endara et al., 2020). 4.3 Predator-prey dynamics, pollinator-plant relationships (interaction between species driving adaptive changes) Predator-prey interactions and pollinator-plant relationships are critical drivers of adaptive changes in species. In the case of Darwin’s finches, their beak morphology has evolved not only in response to competition for seed resources but also due to the selective pressures imposed by their prey, such as the seeds of Tribulus cistoides. The hard, spiny fruits of T. cistoides are a significant food source for the finches, and the morphology of these fruits has evolved in response to seed predation by the finches. Studies have shown that finches impose phenotypic selection on T. cistoides fruit morphology, with smaller and harder fruits exhibiting higher seed survival. This ongoing coevolutionary arms race between the finches and T. cistoides varies in space and time, influenced by factors such as finch community composition andprecipitation (Walton and Stevens, 2018). This dynamic interaction exemplifies how species interactions can drive adaptive changes and contribute to the evolutionary diversification of traits (Navalón et al., 2020). 5 Recent Advances in Understanding Adaptive Evolution 5.1 Genomic approaches (advances in genomic technologies and their applications) Recent advancements in genomic technologies have significantly enhanced our understanding of adaptive evolution (Bonnet et al., 2022). Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have become a powerful tool to identify genetic variations associated with adaptive traits across various species. For instance, GWAS has been instrumental in identifying loci responsible for beak size variation in Darwin’s finches, showcasing the genetic basis of morphological adaptations. Additionally, the advent of CRISPR-Cas9 technology has revolutionized evolutionary biology by enabling precise genome editing, allowing researchers to experimentally test the functional roles of specific genes in adaptation processes. This technique has been applied to study gene functions in various wild animal populations (Figure 3), providing deeper insights into the genetic mechanisms underpinning adaptive traits (Sharma et al., 2018). Sharma et al. (2018) found that gene losses play a crucial role in the renal and metabolic adaptations of frugivorous bats. Specifically, the loss of several renal transporter genes helps these bats efficiently excrete excess dietary water by reducing urine osmolality, enhancing their ability to process the high water content in their fruit-based diet. Additionally, the loss of certain metabolic genes likely facilitates the processing of sugar-rich fruit juices, indicating an adaptive benefit for a frugivorous lifestyle. These genetic changes underscore the dependence of bats on sugar as a primary energy source and provide insights into their unique metabolic processes. Moreover, the loss of other genes appears to be a consequence of adapting to a diet rich in fruits, highlighting the complex evolutionary pathways that have shaped the physiology and metabolism of frugivorous bats. This study sheds light on how specific gene losses contribute to the ecological and dietary specialization in bats. 5.2 Environmental influences (impact of climate change and habitat alteration on adaptive evolution) Climate change and habitat alteration are major drivers of adaptive evolution in wild animal populations (McGaughran et al., 2021). Shifting phenology, such as changes in the timing of breeding and migration, is a common response to climate change. For example, many bird species have adjusted their breeding times in
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