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.