Recombination helps evolution—but it can also cause mutations. New theory shows that even small increases in mutation near crossovers can oppose the evolution of higher recombination rates. By @sarperotto.bsky.social and Bret Payseur academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...

Elevated mutation near crossovers inhibits the evolution of recombination

Abstract. Recombination diversifies offspring genomes and helps ensure chromosome segregation during meiosis. Mutation rates are elevated near crossovers d

academic.oup.com

How do bumblebees determine sex—and why does it matter for conservation? A new study identifies the B. terrestris sex-determination region, with major implications for managing genetic diversity. doi.org/10.1093/evle... Image credit: M. Almbauer

Big evolutionary events can fool phylogenetic analyses. A new approach combines phylogenetic regression with eigenvectors to reduce false positives and better account for the history written in genomes. doi.org/10.1093/evle...

Characterizing and mitigating confounding by unreplicated evolutionary events in phylogenetic regression

Abstract. When researchers want to test for a direct effect of one attribute on another using interspecific data, they need to account for the confounding

doi.org

How do bumblebees determine sex—and why does it matter for conservation? A new study identifies the B. terrestris sex-determination region, with major implications for managing genetic diversity. doi.org/10.1093/evle... Image credit: M. Almbauer

Can benefits echo across generations? In C. elegans, starvation boosts offspring fitness but carries hidden costs for great-grand offspring, revealing evolutionary trade-offs across generations. doi.org/10.1093/evle... @alexeimaklakov.bsky.social

Evolutionary trade-offs between intergenerational and transgenerational fitness effects

Abstract. Intergenerational and transgenerational fitness effects can shape evolutionary processes. Theoretically, however, intergenerational and transgene

doi.org

Big evolutionary events can fool phylogenetic analyses. A new approach combines phylogenetic regression with eigenvectors to reduce false positives and better account for the history written in genomes. doi.org/10.1093/evle...

Characterizing and mitigating confounding by unreplicated evolutionary events in phylogenetic regression

Abstract. When researchers want to test for a direct effect of one attribute on another using interspecific data, they need to account for the confounding

doi.org

Are city birds genetically adapting to urban life? A common garden experiment in great tits reveals hidden evolutionary changes masked by environmental effects in the wild. doi.org/10.1093/evle... Image by G. Laurent, wikimedia

Do all traits age together? A long-term study of wild Seychelles warblers shows ageing is surprisingly asynchronous, with some traits senescing while others remain unchanged. doi.org/10.1093/evle...

Can benefits echo across generations? In C. elegans, starvation boosts offspring fitness but carries hidden costs for great-grand offspring, revealing evolutionary trade-offs across generations. doi.org/10.1093/evle... @alexeimaklakov.bsky.social

Evolutionary trade-offs between intergenerational and transgenerational fitness effects

Abstract. Intergenerational and transgenerational fitness effects can shape evolutionary processes. Theoretically, however, intergenerational and transgene

doi.org

Trade-offs Between Intergenerational and Transgenerational Effects: experimental data and demographic simulation model of multigenerational trade-offs in evolution: academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...

Evolutionary trade-offs between intergenerational and transgenerational fitness effects

Abstract. Intergenerational and transgenerational fitness effects can shape evolutionary processes. Theoretically, however, intergenerational and transgene

academic.oup.com

Are city birds genetically adapting to urban life? A common garden experiment in great tits reveals hidden evolutionary changes masked by environmental effects in the wild. doi.org/10.1093/evle... Image by G. Laurent, wikimedia

Do all traits age together? A long-term study of wild Seychelles warblers shows ageing is surprisingly asynchronous, with some traits senescing while others remain unchanged. doi.org/10.1093/evle...

Why do different butterfly species evolve the same shimmering blue wings? Morpho butterflies repeatedly converge on iridescence in sympatry, suggesting predators can drive the evolution of shared warning signals. doi.org/10.1093/evle... Image credit: Wikimedia

Can species always evolve fast enough to keep up with environmental change? A resurrection experiment in morning glory shows genetic constraints can limit adaptation—even under strong selection. doi.org/10.1093/evle... @gbaucom.bsky.social @johnstinchcombe.bsky.social Image credit:Cbaile19 Wikimedia

Why do species' ranges stop where they do? New theory shows that matching habitat choice can sharpen range boundaries and reinforce limits imposed by competition academic.oup.com/evlett/advan... By Shirani and @benjaminfreeman.bsky.social

Coevolution of species’ range borders: Interactions between interspecific competition, gene flow, and matching habitat choice

Abstract. Existing theory examining the coevolutionary dynamics of species’ range borders assumes random dispersal, which causes maladaptive gene flow from

academic.oup.com

Does early-life stress shape ageing? A field experiment in a colonial marine Bryozoan shows stressed juveniles show lower lifetime fitness—but also surprisingly weaker senescence later in life. Image by D. Janiak at Wikimedia doi.org/10.1093/evle...

Why do different butterfly species evolve the same shimmering blue wings? Morpho butterflies repeatedly converge on iridescence in sympatry, suggesting predators can drive the evolution of shared warning signals. doi.org/10.1093/evle... Image credit: Wikimedia

Can species always evolve fast enough to keep up with environmental change? A resurrection experiment in morning glory shows genetic constraints can limit adaptation—even under strong selection. doi.org/10.1093/evle... @gbaucom.bsky.social @johnstinchcombe.bsky.social Image credit:Cbaile19 Wikimedia

New study from my lab! Led by prior student Sasha Bishop, along w/ co-author @johnstinchcombe.bsky.social 🌸 We performed a resurrection study on morning glory and found that within 9 years, adaptive potential declined by 96%

A resurrection experiment reveals reduced adaptive potential in a common agricultural weed

Adaptive evolution is essential for populations facing rapid anthropogenic change, yet realized evolutionary responses often fall short of expectations. Us

academic.oup.com

Comparing reproductive isolation across species has been harder than it should be. The new Reproductive Isolation Ontology (RIO) provides a common framework to standardize RI estimates across the tree of life. academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...

A standardised framework for classifying estimates of reproductive isolation

Abstract. Understanding reproductive isolation (RI) between lineages is a central goal of speciation research. While the strength of RI has been estimated

academic.oup.com

How does group size shape social evolution? New theory shows that living in smaller versus larger groups changes kinship dynamics, shifting when natural selection favors helping—or harming—others. academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...

Group size modulates kinship dynamics and selection on social traits

Abstract. An individual’s relatedness to its group may change with age due to demographic processes, and such kinship dynamics can shape age-linked social

academic.oup.com

Why do habits evolve? New theory suggests forming and breaking habits can free cognitive resources for other tasks—like staying alert to predators—making behavior more flexible, not less academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...

Evolution of behavioral flexibility and the forming and breaking of habits

The forming and breaking of habits has long been a focus of study in psychology, as well as appearing in many discussions about human behavior. Surprisingl

doi.org

Does early-life stress shape ageing? A field experiment in a colonial marine Bryozoan shows stressed juveniles show lower lifetime fitness—but also surprisingly weaker senescence later in life. Image by D. Janiak at Wikimedia doi.org/10.1093/evle...

Comparing reproductive isolation across species has been harder than it should be. The new Reproductive Isolation Ontology (RIO) provides a common framework to standardize RI estimates across the tree of life. academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...

A standardised framework for classifying estimates of reproductive isolation

Abstract. Understanding reproductive isolation (RI) between lineages is a central goal of speciation research. While the strength of RI has been estimated

academic.oup.com

How does group size shape social evolution? New theory shows that living in smaller versus larger groups changes kinship dynamics, shifting when natural selection favors helping—or harming—others. academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...

Group size modulates kinship dynamics and selection on social traits

Abstract. An individual’s relatedness to its group may change with age due to demographic processes, and such kinship dynamics can shape age-linked social

academic.oup.com

Why do habits evolve? New theory suggests forming and breaking habits can free cognitive resources for other tasks—like staying alert to predators—making behavior more flexible, not less academic.oup.com/evlett/advan...

Evolution of behavioral flexibility and the forming and breaking of habits

The forming and breaking of habits has long been a focus of study in psychology, as well as appearing in many discussions about human behavior. Surprisingl

doi.org

if you're coming to #Evol2026 in cleveland next week, bring your knitting or portable crafting and join our crafting circle! mon june 22, 1-2:30, room 26C! all welcome, eat your lunch then join us for crafting 🧶🖌️🎨

Well done Farshad on this project! I thought that if individuals can choose habitats based on their traits that it would prevent competition from forming range limits but I was wrong - it actually makes competitively-formed range limits SHARPER and Farshad can cogently explain why

Evolution Letters@evolletters.bsky.social · 3mo ago

Why do species' ranges stop where they do? New theory shows that matching habitat choice can sharpen range boundaries and reinforce limits imposed by competition academic.oup.com/evlett/advan... By Shirani and @benjaminfreeman.bsky.social

Why do species' ranges stop where they do? New theory shows that matching habitat choice can sharpen range boundaries and reinforce limits imposed by competition academic.oup.com/evlett/advan... By Shirani and @benjaminfreeman.bsky.social

Coevolution of species’ range borders: Interactions between interspecific competition, gene flow, and matching habitat choice

Abstract. Existing theory examining the coevolutionary dynamics of species’ range borders assumes random dispersal, which causes maladaptive gene flow from

academic.oup.com

Did you know that Evolution Letters now publishes reviews?! Our inaugural one is fantastic! Deep learning is opening new doors for evolutionary genomics, especially for nonmodel organisms with sparse or uncertain genomic data. doi.org/10.1093/evle...