What is the red queen effect?

Answer 1

The Red Queen effect is a concept from evolutionary Biology that describes the phenomenon where organisms must continuously adapt and evolve not just for reproductive advantage, but simply to survive in a constantly changing environment. Named after the Red Queen character in Lewis Carroll's "Through the Looking-Glass," it highlights the idea that species must keep evolving to keep up with competitors, predators, and parasites. This creates a dynamic of perpetual adaptation, where remaining static can lead to extinction. Essentially, it emphasizes the relentless nature of evolutionary pressures in ecosystems.