Awesome Evolution

A curated list of awesome Evolution resources. Please feel free to contribute!

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Awesome Macroevolution List

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Contents

Multicellularity

  • Ratcliff Lab @ Georgia Tech - The Ratcliff Lab at Georgia Tech focuses on the evolution of multicellularity, using experimental evolution to study the transition from unicellular to multicellular life forms. Their research explores the genetic and phenotypic changes that occur during this transition, providing insights into the evolutionary processes that drive the emergence of complex multicellular organisms.

  • De novo origins of multicellularity in response to predation - 2019. Herron, et al. This paper investigates the de novo origins of multicellularity in response to predation. The authors used experimental evolution to demonstrate that unicellular organisms can evolve multicellular forms when exposed to predation pressure, providing insights into the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the transition from unicellularity to multicellularity.

  • Origins of multicellular evolvability in snowflake yeast - 2015. Ratcliff, et al. This paper explores the origins of multicellular evolvability in snowflake yeast. The authors used experimental evolution to investigate the genetic and phenotypic changes that occur during the transition from unicellularity to multicellularity, providing insights into the evolutionary processes that drive the emergence of complex multicellular organisms.

Reproductive Modes

  • Understanding the evolution of viviparity using intraspecific variation in reproductive mode and transitional forms of pregnancy - 2023. Blackburn, et al. This paper investigates the evolution of viviparity (live birth) using intraspecific variation in reproductive mode and transitional forms of pregnancy. The authors used a comparative approach to examine the genetic, physiological, and ecological factors that influence the evolution of viviparity, providing insights into the evolutionary mechanisms underlying this reproductive strategy.

  • Facultative oviparity in a viviparous skink (Saiphos equalis) - 2019. Laird, et al. This paper investigates facultative oviparity (egg-laying) in a viviparous skink (Saiphos equalis). The authors used field and laboratory studies to examine the reproductive biology of this species, providing insights into the evolutionary flexibility of reproductive modes and the potential for transitions between oviparity and viviparity.

Photosynthic Paths

  • Horizontal gene transfer of the algal nuclear gene psbO to the photosynthetic sea slug Elysia chlorotica - 2008. Rumpho, et al. This paper investigates the horizontal gene transfer of the algal nuclear gene psbO to the photosynthetic sea slug Elysia chlorotica. The authors used molecular and genomic analyses to demonstrate that the sea slug has acquired the psbO gene from its algal prey, providing insights into the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the acquisition of photosynthetic capabilities in non-photosynthetic organisms.

Whole Genome Duplication

  • A long-term evolution experiment for whole-genome duplication - This article discusses a long-term evolution experiment focused on whole-genome duplication, providing insights into the evolutionary consequences and mechanisms of polyploidy. Note that the underlying research paper is paywalled, but the post provides an accessible summary of the findings and implications.

Genus-Level Evolution

Lake Victoria Cichlids

In Lake Victoria, over 500 species of cichlid fish—spanning dozens of distinct genera—evolved from a small handful of ancestral species in under 15,000 years.

  • Genomic sequencing confirms this radiation occurred extraordinarily fast following the re-filling of the lake bed after the last glacial period.

  • The resulting groups do not just differ by minor color variations; they evolved radically different jaw mechanics, digestive tracts, and feeding behaviors that taxonomists classify into distinct, valid genera (e.g., Pundamilia, Mbipia, Neochromis).

  • Cycles of fusion and fission enabled rapid parallel adaptive radiations in African cichlids - 2023. Meier, et al. This paper investigates the role of chromosomal fusion and fission events in facilitating rapid parallel adaptive radiations in African cichlids. The authors used genomic analyses to demonstrate how these structural genomic changes contributed to the extraordinary diversification of cichlid species. also

  • Ancient hybridization fuels rapid cichlid fish adaptive radiations - 2017. Meier, et al. This paper investigates the role of ancient hybridization in fueling rapid adaptive radiations of cichlid fish. The authors used genomic analyses to demonstrate that hybridization events between different cichlid lineages contributed to the extraordinary diversification of cichlid species in African lakes.

  • Genetic architecture of adaptive radiation across two trophic levels - 2022. Feller, et al. This paper focuses on the genetic basis of morphological and functional traits separating distinct genera and feeding specialists. The authors map quantitative trait loci (QTL) governing oral jaw dentition, cranial kinematics, and intestine length, illustrating how modular genomic architecture facilitates rapid shifts between insectivores, herbivores, and predator niches.

  • The genomic substrate for adaptive radiation in African cichlid fish - 2014. Brawand, et al. A seminal whole-genome and transcriptomic study (including the Lake Victoria representative Pundamilia nyererei). It identifies key molecular drivers behind rapid anatomical diversification, including accelerated coding sequence evolution, gene duplications, transposable element insertions in regulatory regions, and novel microRNAs.

Modern Evolutionary Transitions

  • Mudskipper genomes provide insights into the terrestrial adaptation of amphibious fishes - 2015. You, et al. This paper investigates the genomes of mudskippers, amphibious fishes that have adapted to terrestrial environments. The authors used genomic analyses to identify genetic changes associated with terrestrial adaptation, providing insights into the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the transition from aquatic to terrestrial life in fishes.

  • Tetrapod-like pelvic girdle in a walking cavefish - 2016. Flammang, et al. This paper investigates the presence of a tetrapod-like pelvic girdle in a walking cavefish. The authors used morphological and genetic analyses to demonstrate that this cavefish species has evolved a pelvic girdle structure similar to that of tetrapods, providing insights into the evolutionary mechanisms underlying the transition from aquatic to terrestrial locomotion in fishes.

  • Rapid large-scale evolutionary divergence in morphology and performance associated with exploitation of a different dietary resource - 2008. Herrel, et al. Italian Wall Lizards (Podarcis sicula) This paper investigates rapid large-scale evolutionary divergence in morphology and performance associated with the exploitation of a different dietary resource. The authors used experimental evolution and morphological analyses to demonstrate how changes in diet can drive rapid evolutionary changes in morphology and performance, providing insights into the evolutionary mechanisms underlying adaptive divergence.

  • Ivory poaching and the rapid evolution of tusklessness in African elephants - 2021. Campbell-Staton, et al. This paper investigates the rapid evolution of tusklessness in African elephants in response to ivory poaching. The authors used population genetic analyses to demonstrate that selective pressure from poaching has led to an increase in the frequency of tuskless individuals, providing insights into the evolutionary consequences of human-induced selection pressures on wildlife populations.