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Natural Selection in Evolutionary Processes

Most evolutionary ecologists are interested in questions of adaptation. The study of natural selection is the study of the intersection of ecology and evolution. Adaptation can be studied theoretically through optimization approaches and empirically through functional ecology. But how do we detect natural selection operating within natural populations under natural conditions, and how do we distinguish it from other evolutionary processes?

This course explores the role of natural selection in evolutionary processes and how we can detect and interpret natural selection using empirical studies. We begin with the practical goal of measuring natural selection in the wild. In this first portion of the course, we cover some basic quantitative genetics and closely read methodological papers describing selection analyses. Topics include phenotypic selection analysis, genotypic selection analysis and environmental correlations, detecting contributions of selection to local adaptation, path analysis, and phenotypic manipulation in selection studies. In the second portion of the course, we consider different modes of selection. First we discuss different population genetic models of selection. Then we discuss hard versus soft selection, multilevel selection, correlational selection, and epistasis. The third part of the course considers selection in variable environments. We discuss spatial scales of selection, the evolution of generalist versus specialist strategies, the evolution of phenotypic plasticity, and the evolution of parental effects. Finally, we discuss alternative hypotheses to explain evolutionary change within populations and differentiation among populations.

An important component of this course is analysis of data. Students are encouraged to bring their own data set that includes, at minimum, measurements of two traits and a component of fitness (survival, mating success, reproduction, and/or performance). Some molecular data may also be appropriate. Data sets will be provided to students who do not have one. Students will analyze their data using techniques learned in the class, and will present results in the form of a paper and presentation.