Xian Li , Jia Chen

Tropical Animal Resources Research Center, Hainan Institute of Tropical Agricultural Resources, Sanya, 572025, Hainan, China
Author    Correspondence author
International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 2024, Vol. 14, No. 2   doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0010
Received: 21 Feb., 2024    Accepted: 29 Mar., 2024    Published: 21 Apr., 2024

This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Li X., and Chen J., 2024, Adaptive evolution in wild animals: key traits and evolutionary mechanisms, International Journal of Molecular Evolution and Biodiversity, 14(2): 80-90 (doi: 10.5376/ijmeb.2024.14.0010)

Adaptive evolution plays a crucial role in the survival and diversification of wild animals. This study examines the significance, key traits, and mechanisms of adaptive evolution, providing insights into the ecological, evolutionary, and conservation implications. The study discusses various adaptive traits such as morphological adaptations (e.g., beak shape in birds), behavioral adaptations (e.g., migratory patterns), physiological adaptations (e.g., thermoregulation), genetic adaptations (e.g., allele frequency changes), and reproductive adaptations (e.g., mating strategies). Evolutionary mechanisms including natural selection, genetic drift, gene flow, mutation, and sexual selection are explored with relevant examples. Case studies such as adaptive radiation in Darwin's finches, industrial melanism in peppered moths, and predator-prey dynamics illustrate these concepts. Advances in genomic approaches, environmental influences, and epigenetics highlight the modern understanding of adaptive evolution. This study underscores the importance of integrating multidisciplinary approaches to study adaptive evolution, emphasizing its relevance for conservation strategies. By addressing knowledge gaps and encouraging ongoing research, we aim to enhance our comprehension of biodiversity and species survival in a rapidly changing world.

Adaptive evolution; Morphological adaptations; Evolutionary mechanisms; Genomic approaches; Conservation strategies