Experimental Evolution of Innovation and Novelty

Rees Kassen

doi:10.1016/j.tree.2019.03.008

Experimental Evolution of Innovation and Novelty

Trends Ecol Evol. 2019 Aug;34(8):712-722. doi: 10.1016/j.tree.2019.03.008. Epub 2019 Apr 23.

Author

Rees Kassen¹

Affiliation

¹ Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Marie-Curie, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N6N5, Canada; kassenlab.weebly.com. Electronic address: rees.kassen@uottawa.ca.

Abstract

How does novelty, a new, genetically based function, evolve? A compelling answer has been elusive because there are few model systems where both the genetic mechanisms generating novel functions and the ecological conditions that govern their origin and spread can be studied in detail. This review article considers what we have learned about the evolution of novelty from microbial selection experiments. This work reveals that the genetic routes to novelty can be more highly variable than standard models have led us to believe and underscores the importance of considering both genetics and ecology in this process.

Keywords: ecological opportunity; epistasis; experimental evolution; gene amplification.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
Review

MeSH terms

Biological Evolution
Ecology*
Models, Biological*
Selection, Genetic

Grants and funding

R25 GM067110/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States