Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 1, 2026
15:00
Daily Transfers, Archiving Populations, and Measuring Fitness in the Long-Term Evolution Experiment with Escherichia coli
Published on: August 18, 2023
4.4K
GENOTYPE-ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION AND THE EVOLUTION OF PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY.
1Department of Biology, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637.
Summary
Quantitative genetic models reveal how selection shapes phenotypic plasticity and the norm of reaction. Genetic correlations across environments influence evolutionary rates, with slower adaptation in rare environments.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Quantitative genetics
- Ecology
Background:
- Traditional genetic models focus on maintaining variation, but are limited for polygenic traits.
- Quantitative traits require understanding the evolution of phenotypic plasticity (norm of reaction).
- Genotype-environment interaction and genetic correlation are key factors in polygenic trait evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the evolution of phenotypic plasticity and the norm of reaction for quantitative traits.
- To investigate the role of genetic correlations across environments in shaping evolutionary trajectories.
- To compare evolutionary dynamics under soft and hard selection in coarse-grained environments.
Main Methods:
- Developed quantitative genetic models for polygenic traits.
- Utilized statistical relationships between genotype-environment interaction and genetic correlation.
- Analyzed evolution under soft and hard selection in coarse-grained environments.
- Incorporated subdivided population models with migration.
Main Results:
- Genetic correlations across environments can slow adaptation and cause temporary maladaptation.
- Evolution toward optima in rare environments is significantly slower than in common environments.
- Migration restriction can facilitate local adaptation, but equilibrium variation in the norm of reaction is unlikely without specific conditions.
- Soft and hard selection can lead to different evolutionary trajectories.
Conclusions:
- Genetic correlations across environments are crucial for understanding the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.
- Environmental rarity and selection type significantly impact adaptation rates.
- Spatial patterns of phenotypic variation are influenced by selection, genetic correlations, and population structure.
Related Concept Videos
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
7.9K
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...
7.9K
01:20Gene-Environment Interactions
1.3K
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...
1.3K
01:15Natural Selection and Adaptation
1.5K
Natural selection, a fundamental concept in evolutionary biology, is the mechanism by which evolution is driven, favoring organisms that are best adapted to their environments. This process enhances their chances of survival and reproduction. Adaptation, a key outcome of this process, involves genetic modifications that optimize an organism's functionality under specific environmental challenges, such as extreme cold or thinner air at high altitudes.
Beyond physical adaptations,...
Beyond physical adaptations,...
1.5K
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
381
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
381
01:39Epistasis
50.6K
In addition to multiple alleles at the same locus influencing traits, numerous genes or alleles at different locations may interact and influence phenotypes in a phenomenon called epistasis. For example, rabbit fur can be black or brown depending on whether the animal is homozygous dominant or heterozygous at a TYRP1 locus. However, if the rabbit is also homozygous recessive at a locus on the tyrosinase gene (TYR), it will have an unshaded coat that appears white, regardless of its TYRP1...
50.6K
01:09Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift
65.0K
In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
65.0K