Survive, reproduce
by Prof Fred W. Allendorf
Mendel rules, pass on your genes
That’s adaptation
Natural selection is one of the primary mechanisms of evolution. Those individuals with higher survival and greater reproductive success are more successful at passing on their genes to future generations. This brings about adaptation which increases the fitness of individuals in future generations.
Further reading: A brief history of the genetic theory of adaptation by H. Allen Orr (2005): http://dx.doi.org/10.1038/nrg1523
Prof Fred W. Allendorf is Regents Professor of Biology Emeritus at the University of Montana. His primary scientific interest is the application of population genetics to conservation biology. He is senior author of the book Conservation and the Genetics of Populations. Check out Fred’s other sciku on Genetic Drift, Inbreeding Depression and Gene Flow.