Taylor Zallek

How does selection change throughout the invasion process?

Determining which traits are advantageous and potentially under natural selection for invading populations has proven a difficult task. One reason it could be challenging is because invasions represent dynamic ecological events with changes in invader populations, community composition, and environment. Therefore, it’s likely that selection for these traits changes throughout the invasion process. To test this, I will conduct experimental invasions in field mesocosms using duckweed as a model system. I will measure selection across different traits related to competition and resource acquisition in evolving populations and known genotypes in both early and late invasion dynamics.