3. Adaptive Evolution: Natural Selection

Principles of Evolution, Ecology and Behavior (EEB 122)

Adaptive Evolution is driven by natural selection. Natural selection is not "survival of the fittest," but rather "reproduction of the fittest." Evolution can occur at many different speeds based on the strength of the selection driving it. These types of selection can result in directional, stabilizing, and disruptive outcomes. They can be driven by frequency-dependent selection and sexual selection, in addition to more standard types of selection.

00:00 - Chapter 1. Introduction
02:36 - Chapter 2. Strength of Selection and the Speed of Evolution
24:06 - Chapter 3. Why Evolution Can Be Slow
30:50 - Chapter 4. Types of Selection
42:01 - Chapter 5. Large Scale Selection

Complete course materials are available at the Open Yale Courses website: http://open.yale.edu/courses

This course was recorded in Spring 2009.