Integrating Mitochondrial Aerobic Metabolism into Ecology and Evolution

: Koch Rebecca E, Buchanan Katherine L, Casagrande Stefania, Crino Ondi, Dowling Damian K, Hill Geoffrey E, Hood Wendy R, McKenzie Matthew, Mariette Mylene M, Noble Daniel WA, Pavlova Alexandra, Seebacher Frank, Sunnucks Paul, Udino Eve, White Craig R, Salin Karine, Stier Antoine

Publisher: Elsevier Ltd. * Trends Journals

: 2021

: Trends in Ecology and Evolution

: Trends in ecology & evolution

: Trends Ecol Evol

: 36

: 4

: 321

: 332

: 0169-5347

: 1872-8383

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2020.12.006

Biologists have long appreciated the critical role that energy turnover plays in understanding variation in performance and fitness among individuals. Whole-organism metabolic studies have provided key insights into fundamental ecological and evolutionary processes. However, constraints operating at subcellular levels, such as those operating within the mitochondria, can also play important roles in optimizing metabolism over different energetic demands and time scales. Herein, we explore how mitochondrial aerobic metabolism influences different aspects of organismal performance, such as through changing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. We consider how such insights have advanced our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning key ecological and evolutionary processes, from variation in life-history traits to adaptation to changing thermal conditions, and we highlight key areas for future research.