Experimental evolution

Questions in evolutionary biology - the study of how and why biological lineages change and diversify over time - can be investigated by several major approaches. These include comparative analysis of carefully described natural diversity (whether living or extinct), analysis of observed behavior, mathematical theory, computational simulations and experimental evolution, in which how populations or communities evolve under experimentally manipulated conditions is investigated. Each major approach has a unique suite of powers, limitations, methods and tools, but the approaches often overlap, interact, and synergize. Thorough investigation of evolutionary questions therefore often requires integration of insights from multiple approaches generated by specialized researchers.

Although perhaps the first evolution experiment was already performed in the late 19th century by William Dallinger, experimental evolution has flourished as a major research approach mainly in the past few decades. Unique strengths of this approach include direct documentation of evolutionary processes at many biological scales, and direct tests of evolutionary causation. Researchers performing evolution experiments are generally not seeking to directly mimic natural evolution - although evolution experiments under nearly natural conditions are conducted - but rather to test how experimentally controlled differences in ancestral states, population/community dynamics and/or ecological conditions (abiotic and/or biotic) affect evolutionary change.

Many research groups across the globe now use experimental evolution to address a vast array of questions with diverse organisms, as well as with digital replicators. The following publications and website - among many others - may serve as helpful entry points for those interested to learn more.

Kassen, R. 2024. Experimental evolution and the nature of biodiversity (2nd edition). Oxford University Press. Order here (book)

Lewis, J. A. & L. T. Morran. 2022. Advantages of laboratory natural selection in the applied sciences. Journal of Evolutionary Biology. Read it here (review & perspective article)

Lenski, R. E. 2021. the-ltee.org (website)

Kawecki, T.J. et al. 2012. Experimental evolution. Trends in Ecology & Evolution. Read it here (review & perspective article)

Garland, T. and M. R. Rose (editors). 2009. Experimental evolution: Concepts, methods, and applications of selection experiments. University of California Press. Order here (book)