What factor is key in determining the long-term evolutionary path for zebra mussels spreading south?

Answer

The balance between plasticity and genetic adaptation

The trajectory of the zebra mussel's continued evolution hinges upon the interplay between two key survival strategies: phenotypic plasticity and true genetic adaptation. If the future environments encountered are relatively stable, such as a very large, consistent lake system, the evolutionary path will likely trend toward specialized genetic adaptation optimized for those unchanging conditions. Conversely, if environmental conditions become more volatile due to factors like climate change leading to temperature variability or extreme hydrological events, the mussels that retain a degree of ancestral plasticity—the ability to cope with broad environmental swings, similar to their Black Sea heritage—may prove more successful in the long term.

What factor is key in determining the long-term evolutionary path for zebra mussels spreading south?

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