Description

Phenotypic variation is pervasive in nature: species differ, individuals within species differ, and individuals themselves even differ over time. Variation generates novel ways of interacting with the environment and is responsible for major evolutionary transitions in the history of life on earth. Developmental pathways are the products of past evolution, yet they also influence potential for the evolution of novelty as filters through which new mutations must pass before becoming visible to natural selection. Organismal form and function result from biotic (e.g. temperature, nutrition) and biotic (e.g. species interactions), and development responds to environmental cues--selective pressures that can drive or halt evolutionary changes. Variation also helps organisms adapt to their environment, can drive speciation, and has led to the incredible biodiversity we see today. In this course, we will explore how biodiversity arises by applying concepts and mechanisms from development, evolution, and ecology, as these processes are inextricably linked. This class is an introduction to the integrative field of Eco-Evo-Devo (Ecology, Evolution, and Development) which explores developmental biology from an ecological and evolutionary perspective. We will discuss and observe the results of millions of years of evolution on the Galapagos Islands. Topics may include developmental plasticity, niche construction, heritable variation, developmental symbiosis, geological history and physiological tolerances. This course has a 2 week field component.