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PERSPECTIVE: COMPLEX ADAPTATIONS AND THE EVOLUTION OF EVOLVABILITY.

Günter P Wagner1, Lee Altenberg2

  • 1Center for Computational Ecology, Department of Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, 06511.

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|June 1, 2017
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Complex adaptations require evolvability, the ability of random variations to improve systems. Evolvability depends on the genotype-phenotype map, which influences how genetic changes affect traits, impacting evolutionary biology and computer science.

Keywords:
Adaptationevolution of developmentevolutionary computationgenetic representationsmodularitypleiotropyquantitative genetics

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Evolutionary Computer Science
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Complex adaptations are studied in evolutionary biology and computer science.
  • Darwinian processes (mutation, recombination, selection) may not universally improve complex systems.
  • Adaptation requires "evolvability," the capacity for random variations to yield improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Summarize and compare findings from evolutionary biology and computer science on complex adaptations.
  • Investigate the role of the genotype-phenotype map in evolvability.
  • Explore how the genotype-phenotype map evolves and its implications for biological design.

Main Methods:

  • Review of evolutionary computer science findings on complex system adaptation.
  • Analysis of the genotype-phenotype map's influence on phenotypic variation.
  • Examination of evolutionary biology concepts like genetic canalization and developmental constraints.
  • Review of population genetic models for modularity evolution.

Main Results:

  • Evolvability critically depends on the genotype-phenotype map, termed the "representation problem."
  • The genotype-phenotype map influences character variability and underlies phenomena like genetic canalization and morphological integration.
  • Modularity, characterized by limited pleiotropic effects across functions, is a common outcome promoting evolvability.
  • The genotype-phenotype map can evolve via epistatic mutations or new gene creation.

Conclusions:

  • The representation problem is central to understanding complex adaptation in both fields.
  • Modularity is a key design principle that enhances evolvability by minimizing functional interference.
  • Further research is needed to fully understand the evolutionary origins and dynamics of the genotype-phenotype map.