Table 2.

Advantages, limitations, and applications of the resurrection approach of comparing ancestors and descendants under common conditions to detect and study evolution

Advantages	Limitations
Direct test of evolution	Limited to organisms with storable propagules
Distinguishes evolution from plasticity	Does not distinguish selection from genetic drift, gene flow, or mutation
Estimates rates of responses	“Invisible fraction” problem
Can be used for phenotypes and genotypes	Resource‐intensive
Can be applied in situ and ex situ
Basic goals	Applied goals
Detect rate of phenotypic evolution	Monitor responses to environmental change
Identify genetic basis of change	Assess potential for evolutionary rescue
Identify agents and targets of selection	Aide in population restoration and conservation
Detect costs of adaptation	Inform management of invasive species
Investigate evolution of plasticity	Detect evolutionary shifts in disease systems