Unexpected Evolutionary Changes in Snails Due to Climate
Author Information
Author(s): Jonathan Silvertown, Laurence Cook, Robert Cameron, Mike Dodd, Kevin McConway, Jenny Worthington, Peter Skelton, Christian Anton, Oliver Bossdorf, Bruno Baur, Menno Schilthuizen, Benoît Fontaine, Helmut Sattmann, Giorgio Bertorelle, Maria Correia, Cristina Oliveira, Beata Pokryszko, Małgorzata Ożgo, Arturs Stalažs, Eoin Gill, Üllar Rammul, Péter Sólymos, Zoltan Féher, Xavier Juan
Primary Institution: Department of Life Sciences, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
Hypothesis
The increase in environmental temperature might have produced selection in favour of shell morphs with a higher albedo.
Conclusion
The study found evolutionary changes in snail shell morph frequencies, but these changes were not directly linked to climate warming as initially hypothesized.
Supporting Evidence
- The study compiled data from 6,515 historical populations and nearly 3,000 modern populations of Cepaea nemoralis.
- Significant changes in shell morph frequencies were detected, particularly in the frequency of Unbanded and Mid-banded morphs.
- The frequency of Yellow shells decreased slightly over time, but this change was marginally significant.
- Changes in morph frequencies were not directly correlated with local temperature changes.
- Behavioral thermoregulation may have buffered evolutionary responses to climate change.
Takeaway
Scientists studied snails to see how they changed over time because of climate. They found some changes, but not the ones they expected.
Methodology
The study analyzed historical and modern datasets of snail populations using generalized additive models.
Potential Biases
Potential biases may arise from the reliance on citizen science data collection.
Limitations
The study's findings may not apply universally due to local variations in environmental factors and predation pressure.
Participant Demographics
Data were collected from volunteers across 15 countries in Europe.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.036
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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