Evolutionary Ecology and Evolutionary Constraints
Douglas J. Futuyma
Department of Ecology and
Evolution, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook,
New York, USA
An important accomplishment of evolutionary genetics and evolutionary
ecology during the past 50 years has been the demonstration of genetic
variation for many traits in most natural populations, and the rapid
response to selection on many such traits. Paradoxically, however,
palaeontologists have described many examples of "stasis," and
systematists have emphasized the prevalence of phylogenetic conservatism
in many traits. I will illustrate the importance of phylogenetic
conservatism for evolutionary ecology, and will explore possible causes
of stasis and phylogenetic conservatism in ecologically important
characters. I will also speculate on the significance of these causes for
the evolution of ecological specialization. Understanding genetic limitations
on adaptability is important for conservation biology in a time of
sweeping anthropogenic environmental change.