November 30, 2025Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Unmeasured prior viability selection resolves the paradox of stasis for body size in wild Soay sheep

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Authors

EMElizabeth A. Mittell JPJosephine M. Pemberton LKLoeske E B Kruuk

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Implication

Observational analysis reveals no predicted body size change in Soay sheep, implying prior viability selection impacts estimates of natural selection.

Key Points

Adult body size remains unchanged despite predictions of growth due to natural selection, highlighting the paradox of stasis.
Significant findings show that while larger lambs survive better, genetically predisposed larger lambs experience higher mortality.
Analysis identifies biases in estimating total lifetime selection driven by prior viability selection affecting body size traits.
These insights suggest a broader ecological pattern where positive selection for larger sizes might often encounter selection pressures from juvenile mortality.

Cite This Study

Mittell et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/692b943e1d383f2b2a378aa0 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2513969122

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Implication

Observational analysis reveals no predicted body size change in Soay sheep, implying prior viability selection impacts estimates of natural selection.

Unmeasured prior viability selection resolves the paradox of stasis for body size in wild Soay sheep

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Unmeasured prior viability selection resolves the paradox of stasis for body size in wild Soay sheep

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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