Data from: Harvest-induced phenotypic selection in an island population of moose, Alces alces

Empirical evidence strongly indicates that human exploitation has frequently led to rapid evolutionary changes in wild populations, yet the mechanisms involved are often poorly understood. Here we applied a recently developed demographic framework for analysing selection to data from a 20-year study of a wild population of moose, Alces alces. In this population, a genetic pedigree has been established all the way back to founders. We demonstrate harvest-induced directional selection for delayed birth dates in males and reduced body mass as calf in females. During the study period, birth date was delayed by 0.81 days per year for both sexes, while no significant changes occurred in calf body mass. Quantitative genetic analyses indicated that both traits harboured significant additive genetic variance. These results show that selective harvesting can induce strong selection which oppose natural selection. This may cause evolution of less favourable phenotypes that become maladaptive once harvesting ceases.

大量实证证据表明，人类狩猎活动常引发野生种群发生快速演化变化，但其背后的作用机制往往尚未得到充分阐明。本研究将新近开发的选择分析种群动态框架，应用于一项为期20年的野生驼鹿（Alces alces）种群监测数据。该种群已构建起可追溯至奠基个体的完整遗传谱系。研究结果证实，狩猎诱导产生定向选择：雄性个体的出生日期显著延后，雌性幼崽体质量显著降低。在本研究周期内，雌雄个体的出生日期均以每年0.81天的速率延后，但幼崽体质量未出现显著变化。数量遗传学分析显示，这两个性状均存在显著的加性遗传方差。上述结果表明，选择性狩猎可诱导与自然选择方向相反的强烈选择，这可能促使种群演化出适应性欠佳的表型，一旦狩猎活动停止，此类表型将转变为适应不良的性状。