Unnatural selection in Galapagos : the role of disease in Darwin’s Finches (Geospizinae)
Micro-evolutionary studies, such as those of Darwin’s finches (Geospizinae), have been used as indicators of rates of evolution under natural selection. Today however, such studies may be compromised by unnatural selection. Recently introduced infectious and parasitic agents in Galapagos may hamper our ability to monitor natural evolutionary change in endemic birds, by modifying such change. The opportunity to study natural selection in its iconic site may thus be lost, due to these and other forms of human environmental alteration, which may be replacing non-anthropogenic factors as the principal driver of evolution. To ensure that natural selection continues to shape the biota of Galapagos, anthropogenic impacts including introduced diseases must be managed effectively.
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | article biblioteca |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2010-10
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| Subjects: | Biology, Ecology, Management, parasites, pathogens, human impact, diseases, |
| Online Access: | http://hdl.handle.net/1834/36290 |
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