Selection, adaptation, and generalization

  • Datum: 12.06.2020
  • Uhrzeit: 16:00 - 17:00
  • Ort: virtuelle Plattform
  • Gastgeber: Paul Rainey

Selection and adaptation are distinct concepts that have very different properties. It is fairly straightforward to derive general models of selection mechanics, but not the detailed causal structure that underlies adaptation. Ordinarily, this causes little difficulty with simple adaptive evolution among organisms -- adaptation and selection are usually simultaneous, and there is no question as to what entity bears phenotypic traits or fitness differences, and what entity is adapting. However, failure to distinguish clearly selection and adaptation has bedeviled the study of multlevel (group) selection, evolutionary transitions in individuality, and generalizations in macroecology and evolution. Selective processes appear to underlie ecological and evolutionary "laws", but only in the cases where local adaptation is effectively absent. If you are interested in participating, please write an e-mail to Britta Baron for link and password: baron@evolbio.mpg.de.

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