Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
15:00
Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
Published on: August 18, 2023
Experimental evolution of phenotypic plasticity: how predictive are cross-environment genetic correlations?
Mary Ellen Czesak1, Charles W Fox, Jason B Wolf
1Department of Biology, Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York 12604, USA. maczesak@vassar.edu
The American Naturalist
|September 2, 2006
Summary
Genetic correlations predict trait evolution, but this study shows they can be asymmetrical and depend on the genetic architecture. This impacts predicting adaptive plasticity in seed beetles.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Quantitative Genetics
Background:
- Genetic correlations often predict correlated responses to selection between traits.
- However, instances exist where genetic correlations do not accurately predict these responses, particularly across different environments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how cross-environment genetic correlations predict correlated responses to selection.
- To examine the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in egg size in the seed beetle Stator limbatus.
Main Methods:
- A half-sib analysis was used to estimate the cross-environment genetic correlation for egg size.
- Artificial selection experiments were conducted on egg size across different host plants.
- A two-locus additive genetic model was developed to explore genetic architecture's role.
Main Results:
- The cross-environment genetic correlation (rA=0.99) was high and positive.
- Realized genetic correlations were asymmetrical, varying with host type and selection direction.
- Egg size plasticity evolved only when selection occurred on one host type, not the other.
Conclusions:
- The predictive power of genetic correlations for correlated responses to selection is contingent upon the underlying genetic architecture.
- Observed patterns of egg size plasticity evolution in Stator limbatus are explained by this dependency on genetic architecture.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
01:20Gene-Environment Interactions
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
01:23Behavioral Genetics and Its Designs
Behavior genetics explores how genetic inheritance influences human behavior. It focuses on how genes, passed from parents to offspring, contribute to the development of behavioral traits and tendencies. This branch of genetics seeks to understand the complex interplay between inherited genetic factors and environmental influences in shaping our behaviors.
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
The primary methodologies used in behavior genetics include family studies, twin studies, and adoption studies, each providing unique...
01:24Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
01:06Heritability
Heritability is a statistical concept that measures the degree to which genetic differences among individuals contribute to trait variations within a population. It is a fundamental idea in genetics, often prone to misinterpretation. Heritability is expressed as a percentage, reflecting the proportion of variation in a specific trait across a population that can be linked to genetic differences. However, it's important to understand that heritability does not determine how "genetic" a trait is,...
01:20Evolutionary Psychology
Evolutionary psychology explores the origins of human behavior and mental processes by framing them within the context of natural selection, a theory famously propounded by Charles Darwin. This field asserts that many behaviors common across human societies — ranging from instinctive fear reactions to complex social interactions — arose as evolutionary adaptations. These adaptations enhanced the survival and reproductive success of our ancestors, thereby becoming embedded in the human psyche...