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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
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Phenotypic plasticity as a component of evolutionary change.

J D Thompson1

  • 1Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionelle et Evolutive, Centre Louis Emberger, CNRS, Route de Mende, BP 5051, 34033 Montpellier Cedex, France.

Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 15, 2011
PubMed
Summary

Phenotypic plasticity is now understood as a driver of evolution, not a buffer. Adaptive plasticity, involving physiological and morphological responses, helps maintain fitness across diverse environments.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Genetics
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Phenotypic plasticity was historically viewed as a constraint on natural selection.
  • Emerging evidence highlights plasticity as a key driver of evolutionary change.
  • Genetic variation for plasticity allows populations to evolve novel plastic responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the conditions favoring the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
  • To understand when a generalist strategy is evolutionarily preferred over specialized strategies.
  • To differentiate adaptive plasticity from non-adaptive responses to environmental variation.

Main Methods:

  • The study reviews existing literature and theoretical frameworks on phenotypic plasticity.
  • It analyzes conditions under which generalist or specialist strategies are favored.
  • It examines the genetic basis and adaptive significance of plastic responses.

Main Results:

  • Populations can evolve different mean plasticities when genetic variation exists.
  • Genotypes optimal in one environment often perform poorly in others.
  • Adaptive plasticity enhances relative fitness by responding to environmental variation.

Conclusions:

  • Phenotypic plasticity is a fundamental component of evolution.
  • Adaptive plasticity involves physiological homeostasis and morphological adjustments.
  • Understanding the evolution of plasticity is crucial for predicting evolutionary trajectories.