Expanding the scope of fire-driven animal evolution

As fire regimes undergo shifts around the globe, understanding their impact on biodiversity has become increasingly urgent. Jones et al. [ 1. ] offer an insightful discussion on the selective forces likely to influence animal evolution in the Pyrocene. Their work identifies several mechanisms that shape both the genetic and phenotypic trait composition of populations in fire-prone environments. Building on this discourse, we extend the conversation to include additional facets of how fire may influence animal evolution. Specifically, we focus on two key points. First, we identify other traits – particularly phenological and reproductive ones – that are likely subject to selection pressures from fire, and we elaborate on how these and other traits correlate with different attributes of fire regimes. Second, we argue that the concept of 'fire-adapted fauna' should be broadened to include all traits that confer a fitness advantage in fire-prone landscapes, not just those related to fire survival.