Mechanisms of Evolution:

Natural Selection, as proposed by Charles Darwin is one of the most famous mechanisms of
evolution. It is the basis of the idea proposed by Herbert Spencer – ‘Survival of the fittest’. As the
environment changes, those who evolve to accustom to the change will eventually win the
competition of survival.

Besides Natural selection, other mechanisms of evolution are:

1. Founder Effect:

According to the Hardy – Weinberg principle, allelic frequency should remain constant. Any change
that occurs in the allelic frequency will result in evolution. One of the major factors contributing to
disturbing the genetic equilibrium is “genetic drift”. When a part of the population moves to foreign
location due to environmental or other reasons, it will result in addition of new genes to the new
location. This change in allelic frequency, if drastic will result in new species, thereby resulting in
evolution. The originally drifted species, who had brought in new alleles will be called founders. This
is called founder effect.

2. Saltation:

This idea was put forth by Hugo – De Vries based on his work on “Oenothera Lamarckiana“– evening
primrose. In contrast to Darwin’s theory of Natural Selection, De- Vries believes that mutations are
ultimate cause of evolution. According to him, evolution is due to a random and directionless
process called mutation.” Mutations result in speciation”. Single large step mutation is called
Saltation.

3. Non – random mating:

Mating between two different individuals of the same population is called Non – Random mating.
Although it is not a major mechanism of evolution, it does bring a deviation from Hardy – Weinberg
equilibrium. This resulting deviation in the longer run might lead to evolution.