MSc. Emmi Räsänen presents her doctoral research: "Adaptation to fluctuating and extreme temperatures"
ABSTRACT: Constant temperatures and fluctuations of varying speed affect fitness differently, which has led to a theory of distinct genetic architectures and adaptation strategies between the types of thermal environments. The predicted fitness trade-offs and constraints in adaptation are especially alarming, as climate change scenarios forecast increases in both the magnitude and the frequency of fluctuations. Thermal extremes can affect species ability to adapt also by diminishing population sizes and by selecting traits that correlate with thermal generalism. However, very little is known about the complex genetic architecture of thermal tolerance at fluctuating versus constant conditions. This project aims to address this gap in knowledge by integrating quantitative genetics, genome-wide association mapping and experimental evolution.
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