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Eco-evolutionary dynamics in a contemporary human population

Author

Listed:
  • Fanie Pelletier

    (Université de Sherbrooke)

  • Gabriel Pigeon

    (Université de Sherbrooke)

  • Patrick Bergeron

    (Université de Sherbrooke
    Present address: Biology Department, Bishop’s University, Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada J1M 1Z7)

  • Francine M. Mayer

    (Université du Québec à Montréal)

  • Mireille Boisvert

    (Université du Québec à Montréal)

  • Denis Réale

    (Université du Québec à Montréal)

  • Emmanuel Milot

    (biochimie et physique and Forensics Research Group, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières)

Abstract

Recent studies of the joint dynamics of ecological and evolutionary processes show that changes in genotype or phenotype distributions can affect population, community and ecosystem processes. Such eco-evolutionary dynamics are likely to occur in modern humans and may influence population dynamics. Here, we study contributions to population growth from detailed genealogical records of a contemporary human population. We show that evolutionary changes in women’s age at first reproduction can affect population growth: 15.9% of variation in individual contribution to population growth over 108 years is explained by mean age at first reproduction and at least one-third of this variation (6.1%) is attributed to the genetic basis of this trait, which showed an evolutionary response to selection during the period studied. Our study suggests that eco-evolutionary processes have modulated the growth of contemporary human populations.

Suggested Citation

  • Fanie Pelletier & Gabriel Pigeon & Patrick Bergeron & Francine M. Mayer & Mireille Boisvert & Denis Réale & Emmanuel Milot, 2017. "Eco-evolutionary dynamics in a contemporary human population," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 8(1), pages 1-5, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:8:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms15947
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15947
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