Biological evolution is the change in properties of populations of organisms that happens over generations, and that is transmitted via the genetic material from one generation to the next. Evolutionary theory is fundamental for understanding the mechanisms of change and adaptation in organisms, and of species diversity. Evolutionary change through natural selection takes place over many generations and results in adaptation to the surrounding environment. Natural selection works on genetic variation that arises from mutations in the DNA sequence. If a mutation results in a trait that increases survival or reproduction in a given environment, the genetic change will be passed on to the offspring and spread in following generations. Evolution drives the divergence of populations that may result in speciation, and has lead to the huge diversification of species from ancestral simple single cell organisms to the vast number of highly specialized animals and plants. Evolutionary research at the Department of Biology is very diverse and spans multiple disciplines including behavioural ecology, genetics, physiology, and biogeography, and applying a variety of methods such as molecular genetics, phylogeny, and experimental evolution. Evolutionary studies are conducted on speciation, on the adaptation of organisms to changes in environmental conditions and climate, on behavioural and physiological adaptations, and on life history traits.

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