Why evolutionary biologists should be demographers

C. Jessica E. Metcalf, Samuel Pavard

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

177 Scopus citations

Abstract

Evolution is driven by the propagation of genes, traits and individuals within and between populations. This propagation depends on the survival, fertility and dispersal of individuals at each age or stage during their life history, as well as on population growth and (st)age structure. Demography is therefore central to understanding evolution. Recent demographic research provides new perspectives on fitness, the spread of mutations within populations and the establishment of life histories in a phylogenetic context. New challenges resulting from individual heterogeneity, and instances where survival and reproduction are linked across generations are being recognized. Evolutionary demography is a field of exciting developments through both methodological and empirical advances. Here, we review these developments and outline two emergent research questions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)205-212
Number of pages8
JournalTrends in Ecology and Evolution
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2007
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics

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