Types of Selection

Natural Selection Kin Selection

Natural selection is a process where individuals with favorable A form of natural selection that promotes behaviors benefiting
traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their relatives, even at a cost to the individual. Example: Worker
advantageous characteristics to the next generation. This bees sacrificing their ability to reproduce to support the queen.
process leads to the evolution of species over time.
Subtypes of Natural Selection
Stabilizing Selection Directional Selection Disruptive Selection
Favors the average phenotype, Favors individuals with an extreme Favors individuals with extreme
reducing variation in a population. phenotype, causing a shift in the phenotypes at both ends of the
Example: Human birth weights. population's traits over time. spectrum, leading to increased
Infants with average birth weights Example: Antibiotic resistance in variation and potential speciation.
have higher survival rates compared bacteria. Strains resistant to Example: Beak sizes in certain bird
to very small or very large babies. antibiotics thrive while others perish. species. Birds with either very small
or very large beaks are more efficient
at utilizing specific food sources
compared to birds with medium-
sized beaks.

Sexual Selection Artificial Selection

Occurs when certain traits increase an individual's chances Humans intentionally select specific traits in plants or
of mating and reproducing. Example: Peacock tail feathers. animals to propagate. Example: Breeding dogs for specific
Males with more vibrant and larger tails are more attractive traits such as size or temperament.
to females.
Group Selection
Selection acting on the level of groups rather than individuals, favoring traits
beneficial to the group's survival. Example: Cooperative hunting in packs of
wolves.
Importance of Selection
Types
These types of selection drive adaptation and speciation, forming the
backbone of evolutionary biology.
Mechanisms of Evolution

Mutation Gene Flow Genetic Drift Non-Random Mating

Mutations are random Movement of genes between Random changes in allele Mating based on specific
changes in DNA that can populations due to migration frequencies, especially traits rather than at random.
introduce new genetic or interbreeding. Examples: significant in small Examples: Female birds
variations into a population. Humans traveling and populations. Types: choosing males with brighter
Examples: Sickle cell anemia intermixing, spreading genetic Bottleneck Effect: Drastic plumage. Assortative mating
mutation confers resistance to diversity. Pollen transfer reduction in population size in humans where individuals
malaria. Mutations leading to between different plant due to events like natural prefer partners with similar
lactose tolerance in humans. populations. disasters. Example: Northern characteristics.
elephant seals, reduced to a
few individuals due to
hunting. Founder Effect: Small
group of individuals
establishes a new population,
leading to reduced genetic
diversity. Example: Amish
populations with higher
incidence of genetic
disorders.
Modern Theory of Evolution
Population Genetics 1
Evolution occurs in populations, not individuals,
through changes in allele frequencies. Hardy-
Weinberg Equilibrium: A mathematical model 2 Speciation
describing populations that are not evolving. The formation of new species through evolutionary
Equation: p² + 2pq + q² = 1 Factors disrupting processes. Allopatric Speciation: Geographic
equilibrium: mutation, gene flow, genetic drift, natural isolation leads to reproductive isolation. Example:
selection, and non-random mating. Darwinʼs finches on the Galápagos Islands. Sympatric
Speciation: Occurs without geographic isolation,
often through behavioral or genetic changes.
Molecular Evidence 3 Example: Cichlid fish in African lakes.
Advances in DNA sequencing reveal genetic
similarities and differences among species.
Examples: Human-chimpanzee genetic similarity of
98-99%. Discovery of conserved genes, such as Hox
genes controlling body plans. 4 Evolutionary Developmental Biology
(Evo-Devo)
Studies how developmental processes influence
evolution. Example: Changes in regulatory genes
Adaptive Radiation 5 leading to differences in limb structures between
Rapid evolution of diverse species from a common species.
ancestor. Example: Evolution of mammals after the
extinction of dinosaurs.
6 Co-evolution
Two or more species evolve in response to each
other. Example: Pollinators and flowering plants.
Extinction and Evolutionary Stasis 7
Extinction events shape evolutionary trajectories.
Example: Mass extinction of dinosaurs paved the way
for mammalian dominance.
Importance of the Modern
Theory
Explains complex evolutionary processes through multidisciplinary
approaches. Provides insights into biodiversity, adaptation, and the genetic
basis of evolution.