Disruptive selection and then what?

Claus Rueffler; Tom J M Van Dooren; Olof Leimar; Peter A Abrams

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2006.03.003

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Disruptive selection and then what?

Claus Rueffler·Tom J M Van Dooren·Olof Leimar·Peter A Abrams

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Abstract

Disruptive selection occurs when extreme phenotypes have a fitness advantage over more intermediate phenotypes. The phenomenon is particularly interesting when selection keeps a population in a disruptive regime. This can lead to increased phenotypic variation while disruptive selection itself is diminished or eliminated. Here, we review processes that increase phenotypic variation in response to disruptive selection and discuss some of the possible outcomes, such as sympatric species pairs, sexual dimorphisms, phenotypic plasticity and altered community assemblages. We also identify factors influencing the likelihoods of these different outcomes.

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Adaptation, Physiological Animals Biological Evolution Genetic Variation Phenotype Selection, Genetic Sexual Behavior, Animal Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

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Claus Rueffler, Tom J M Van Dooren, Olof Leimar, Peter A Abrams. 2006-03-24. Disruptive selection and then what?. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2006.03.003

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