Biological variation in populations is the process by which genetic and phenotypic differences arise, are maintained, and change in frequency among individuals within a species. It results from the combined action of mutation, recombination, gene flow, genetic drift, and natural and sexual selection, acting on genomes across generations. At the population level, this variation underlies differences in traits such as morphology, physiology, behavior, and fitness-related characteristics, and is quantified using measures like allele frequencies, heterozygosity, and quantitative trait distributions. Population-level biological variation provides the raw material for adaptive evolution and influences population dynamics, speciation potential, and responses to environmental change.
A study reveals that sticklebacks with complete bony plates have survival rates several percentage points higher than those with reduced plates, indicating ongoing natural selection. Moreover, the strength of selection appears ...
Evolution
Feb 11, 2026
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36
Cucumber is an economically important crop worldwide, ranking as the third most-produced vegetable after tomatoes and onions. Yet breeding improved varieties—plants that are more resilient, produce better-shaped fruit, or ...
Plants & Animals
Feb 10, 2026
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21
A new genetic study examines an unusually large hybridization event that followed the Fukushima nuclear accident, when escaped domestic pigs bred with wild boar. The research shows that domestic pig maternal lineages sped ...
Plants & Animals
Feb 9, 2026
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Every ecosystem is shaped by billions of invisible battles: organisms competing for light, nutrients, space, or mates. These competitive interactions determine which species survive, how they evolve, and how vibrant and resilient ...
Evolution
Feb 3, 2026
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18
Microbes often display cooperative behavior in which individual cells put in work and sacrifice resources to collectively benefit the group. But sometimes, "cheater" cells in the group may reap the benefits of this cooperation ...
Evolution
Jan 8, 2026
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43
When males are forced to compete for females, new species form more rapidly. This has been shown in a new study where the researchers compared beetles allowed to mate freely with groups of the same species where competition ...
Plants & Animals
Dec 1, 2025
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30
An international research collaboration, including INRAE, has published the complete set of genes (pangenome) and agronomic traits (panphenome) of the eggplant. Beyond the genome, this comprehensive collection encompasses ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Nov 13, 2025
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28
Life-history variation is fundamental to the long-term persistence of populations and species because it ensures their ability to adapt to changing environments. Many important studies have focused on life-history variation ...
Plants & Animals
Oct 21, 2025
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113
Climate change is rapidly altering our environment—and posing major challenges for many animal species. Whether they can adapt depends largely on their genetic diversity. An international study involving researchers from ...
Evolution
Oct 17, 2025
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36
Wheat has a very large and complex genome. Researchers have found that different varieties can use their genes in different ways. By studying RNA—the molecules that carry out instructions from DNA—researchers can see which ...
Molecular & Computational biology
Oct 6, 2025
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