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Updated: Jan 21, 2026
12:02
Molecular Evolution of the Tre Recombinase
Published on: May 29, 2008
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On the evolution of carry-over effects
Michael P Moore1, Ryan A Martin1
1Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio.
The Journal of Animal Ecology
|August 13, 2019
Summary
Early life environments shape traits through carry-over effects, influencing fitness. This study presents a framework for how these effects evolve, considering selection across life stages.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Ecology
Background:
- Early life environments significantly impact later-life traits and fitness through carry-over effects.
- While carry-over effects are well-documented, their evolutionary dynamics and diversification remain underexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a novel framework for understanding the evolution of carry-over effects.
- To identify the mechanisms by which carry-over effects adapt and diversify over time.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual framework development.
- Analysis of evolutionary pathways for trait expression and environmental sensitivity.
- Consideration of selection pressures across different life stages.
Main Results:
- Carry-over effects evolve via changes in trait dependence on early development or altered sensitivity of developmental pathways to early environments.
- Evolution is shaped by selection on induced phenotypes and developmentally linked traits, with potential conflicts resolved by prioritizing the stage with stronger selection.
- Reproductive value and trait-fitness relationships determine stage-specific selection strength.
Conclusions:
- Carry-over effects offer insights into life history evolution and phenotypic plasticity.
- Maladaptive plasticity in one stage can be adaptive for overall fitness maximization.
- Carry-over effects may accelerate adaptation to new environments, particularly for sexually selected traits.
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