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Evolutionary Toxicology—An Informational Tool for Chemical Regulation?

Elias M. Oziolor,Karel DeSchamphelaere,D. Lyon,D. Nacci,Helen C. Poynton

Published 2020 in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry

ABSTRACT

Evolutionary toxicology focuses on the drivers, mechanisms, and outcomes of pollution‐driven genetic differentiation among populations. The focal questions address the types of chemical contamination acting as selective pressures; the genetics, epigenetics, and demography of impacted populations; as well as fitness costs and cross‐resistances that may follow rapid adaptation. In this field, researchers incorporate tools from environmental chemistry, conservation genetics, population biology, and toxicology to understand the health and stability of impacted populations. Recent studies in evolutionary toxicology have illustrated diverse cases of population‐wide adaptation to contamination (killifish, Hyalella, mosquitofish). Adaptation, by definition, is achieved through the localized loss of some individuals and genotypes and, thus, provides singular evidence of losses in biodiversity. Chemical regulations are generally supported by assessments that predict, largely through laboratory studies, the risks associated with chemical exposures. Evolutionary toxicology complements this approach by providing direct evidence of population and community impacts. Recent interest by the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry working group EVOGENERATE (Evolutionary and Multigenerational Effects of Chemicals) has launched discussions about the utility of evolutionary toxicology studies to inform chemical regulation. To further this discussion, one representative from each of 3 sectors, academia, government, and industry, was asked to provide opinions on the following questions:

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