Evolutionary rescue in vertebrates: evidence, applications and uncertainty

摘要

The current rapid rate of human-driven environmental change presents wild populations with novel conditions and stresses. Theory and experimental evidence for evolutionary rcscuc present a promising case for species facings environmental, change persisting via adaptation. Here, we assess ther potential for： evolutionary rescue in wild vertebrates. Available information on evolutionary rescue was rare and restricted to abundant and highly fecund spccies that faced severe intentional anthropogenic selective pressures. However, examples from adaptive tracking in common species and genetic rescucs in spccics of conservation concern provide convincing evidence in favour of the mechanisms of evolutionary rescue. We conclude that low population size, long generation times and limited genetic variability will result in evolutionary rescue occurring rarely for endangered species without intervention. Owing to the risks presented by current environmental change and the possibility of evolutionary rcscue in nature, we suggest means to study evolutionary rescue by mapping genotype phenotype → demography → fitness relationships, and priorities for applying evolutionary rescue to wild, populations.