Genetic analysis of more than 90 butterfly museum specimens from Finland revealed that populations from highly fragmented habitats can undergo rapid evolutionary changes as well as extraordinary losses in genetic variation. By comparing extinct populations to those that still live, researchers found natural selection for populations that were more likely to disperse and colonise new habitats. But they also found that even accelerated evolution may not be fast enough to save shrinking populations from extinction. This study emphasises the value of old museum collections for demonstrating how populations and species respond to a rapidly changing world.

from Forbes – Tech http://ift.tt/1Qg1Qrx
via IFTTT