Experimental macroevolution<sup />

Bell, Graham

doi:10.1098/rspb.2015.2547

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…For example, the distinction between macro and microevolution results in part from the significant difference in temporal scales between palaeontological studies and those focusing on ecological patterns or employing wet‐lab experimentation (Gontier provided discussion of what is a multifaceted distinction). There is a paucity of systems and methods that bridge this divide: lab‐based systems are currently subject to severe limitations (Bell ). Debate thus continues as to whether macroevolution is fundamentally different to microevolution, or whether it represents the action of microevolutionary processes writ large (Erwin ; Simons ; Jablonski ; this is also touched upon by the discussion of Hannisdal & Liow ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

REvoSim: Organism‐level simulation of macro and microevolution

2019

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Macroevolutionary processes dictate the generation and loss of biodiversity. Understanding them is a key challenge when interrogating the earth–life system in deep time. Model‐based approaches can reveal important macroevolutionary patterns and generate hypotheses on the underlying processes. Here we present and document a novel model called REvoSim (Rapid Evolutionary Simulator) coupled with a software implementation of this model. The latter is available here as both source code (C++/Qt, GNU General Public License) and as distributables for a variety of operating systems. REvoSim is an individual‐based model with a strong focus on computational efficiency. It can simulate populations of 105–107 digital organisms over geological timescales on a typical desktop computer, and incorporates spatial and temporal environmental variation, recombinant reproduction, mutation and dispersal. Whilst microevolutionary processes drive the model, macroevolutionary phenomena such as speciation and extinction emerge. We present results and analysis of the model focusing on validation, and note a number potential applications. REvoSim can serve as a multipurpose platform for studying both macro and microevolution, and bridges this divide. It will be continually developed by the authors to expand its capabilities and hence its utility.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

REvoSim: Organism‐level simulation of macro and microevolution

2019

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“…Several approaches have been applied. The most straightforward procedure would simply be to run replicated, controlled experiments from the same starting point—impossible for metazoans over geologic timescales, but feasible for long-term laboratory populations (see for example the contingency effects inferred by Blount et al 2008 , 2012 ; Meyer et al 2012 ; Blount 2016 ; and for a more expansive view, Bell 2016 ).…”

Section: Macroevolutionary Conceptsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Approaches to Macroevolution: 1. General Concepts and Origin of Variation

Jablonski

2017

Evol Biol

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Approaches to macroevolution require integration of its two fundamental components, i.e. the origin and the sorting of variation, in a hierarchical framework. Macroevolution occurs in multiple currencies that are only loosely correlated, notably taxonomic diversity, morphological disparity, and functional variety. The origin of variation within this conceptual framework is increasingly understood in developmental terms, with the semi-hierarchical structure of gene regulatory networks (GRNs, used here in a broad sense incorporating not just the genetic circuitry per se but the factors controlling the timing and location of gene expression and repression), the non-linear relation between magnitude of genetic change and the phenotypic results, the evolutionary potential of co-opting existing GRNs, and developmental responsiveness to nongenetic signals (i.e. epigenetics and plasticity), all requiring modification of standard microevolutionary models, and rendering difficult any simple definition of evolutionary novelty. The developmental factors underlying macroevolution create anisotropic probabilities—i.e., an uneven density distribution—of evolutionary change around any given phenotypic starting point, and the potential for coordinated changes among traits that can accommodate change via epigenetic mechanisms. From this standpoint, “punctuated equilibrium” and “phyletic gradualism” simply represent two cells in a matrix of evolutionary models of phenotypic change, and the origin of trends and evolutionary novelty are not simply functions of ecological opportunity. Over long timescales, contingency becomes especially important, and can be viewed in terms of macroevolutionary lags (the temporal separation between the origin of a trait or clade and subsequent diversification); such lags can arise by several mechanisms: as geological or phylogenetic artifacts, or when diversifications require synergistic interactions among traits, or between traits and external events. The temporal and spatial patterns of the origins of evolutionary novelties are a challenge to macroevolutionary theory; individual events can be described retrospectively, but a general model relating development, genetics, and ecology is needed. An accompanying paper (Jablonski in Evol Biol 2017) reviews diversity dynamics and the sorting of variation, with some general conclusions.

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“…In contrast to comparing phenotypic and genomic responses of traits from spatial populations that differ in their environments as well as their genetic background, evolutionary adaptation to environmental change can be directly observed in resurrected temporal populations. Experimental evolution, an alternative to resurrection ecology when resurrected isolates are unavailable, is typically applied to unicellular organisms such as bacteria or yeast or multicellular organisms with short generation times such as Drosophila (reviewed in Bell, ). However, more recently, experimental evolution using Daphnia has gained momentum, with studies of asexually propagated mutation accumulation lines generated over a maximum number of 100 generations (Xu et al., ).…”

Section: Daphnia Species As Model Organisms In Resurrection Ecologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Paleolimnology and resurrection ecology: The future of reconstructing the past

Burge

Edlund

Frisch

2017

Evolutionary Applications

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Paleolimnologists have utilized lake sediment records to understand historical lake and landscape development, timing and magnitude of environmental change at lake, watershed, regional and global scales, and as historical datasets to target watershed and lake management. Resurrection ecologists have long recognized lake sediments as sources of viable propagules (“seed or egg banks”) with which to explore questions of community ecology, ecological response, and evolutionary ecology. Most researchers consider Daphnia as the primary model organism in these efforts, but many other aquatic biota, from viruses to macrophytes, similarly produce viable propagules that are incorporated in the sediment record but have been underutilized in resurrection ecology. The common goals shared by these two disciplines have led to mutualistic and synergistic collaborations—a development that must be encouraged to expand. We give an overview of the achievements of paleolimnology and the reconstruction of environmental history of lakes, review the untapped diversity of aquatic organisms that produce dormant propagules, compare Daphnia as a model of resurrection ecology with other organisms amenable to resurrection studies, especially diatoms, and consider new research directions that represent the nexus of these two fields.

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Experimental macroevolution

Cited by 12 publications

References 61 publications

REvoSim: Organism‐level simulation of macro and microevolution

REvoSim: Organism‐level simulation of macro and microevolution

Approaches to Macroevolution: 1. General Concepts and Origin of Variation

Paleolimnology and resurrection ecology: The future of reconstructing the past

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