Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Background and Environment Affect Phenotype

Background 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...

Frequency-dependent Selection

Frequency-dependent Selection

When the fitness of a trait is influenced by how common it is (i.e., its frequency) relative to different traits within a population, this is referred to as frequency-dependent selection. Frequency-dependent selection may occur between species or within a single species. This type of selection can either be positive—with more common phenotypes having higher fitness—or negative, with rarer phenotypes conferring increased fitness.

Speciation Rates

Speciation Rates

Position-effect Variegation

Position-effect Variegation

In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.

Types of Selection

Types of Selection

Natural selection influences the frequencies of particular alleles and phenotypes within populations in several different ways. Primarily, natural selection can be directional, stabilizing, or disruptive. Directional selection favors one extreme trait and shifts the population towards that phenotype while selecting against individuals displaying alternate traits. Stabilizing selection favors an intermediate trait with a narrow range of variation. Deviation from the optimal phenotype towards an...

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift

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).

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Genome-wide screen for deficiencies modifying Cyclin G-induced developmental instability in Drosophila melanogaster.

Genetics·2026

Same author

Exposome variations affect Drosophila bristle patterning via the regulation of proneural genes through distinct mechanisms.

Scientific reports·2025

Same author

The H3K79me3 methyl-transferase Grappa is involved in the establishment and thermal plasticity of abdominal pigmentation in Drosophila melanogaster females.

Scientific reports·2024

Same author

Publisher Correction: Drosophilids with darker cuticle have higher body temperature under light.

Scientific reports·2023

Same author

Drosophilids with darker cuticle have higher body temperature under light.

Scientific reports·2023

Same author

[Small scale evolution].

Biologie aujourd'hui·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 12, 2025

A Proboscis Extension Response Protocol for Investigating Behavioral Plasticity in Insects: Application to Basic, Biomedical, and Agricultural Research

A Proboscis Extension Response Protocol for Investigating Behavioral Plasticity in Insects: Application to Basic, Biomedical, and Agricultural Research

Published on: September 8, 2014

[Phenotypic plasticity in insects].

Jean-Michel Gibert¹

¹Sorbonne Université, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), UMR7622, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Laboratoire de Biologie du Développement (IBPS-LBD), 75005 Paris, France.

Biologie Aujourd'Hui

|August 11, 2020

Summary

Insect phenotypic plasticity allows adaptation to diverse environments. Temperature influences pigmentation by regulating melanin synthesis genes, demonstrating a key mechanism for insect adaptation.

Keywords:

expression génétique gene expression insectes insects phenotypic plasticity plasticité phénotypique plasticité thermique thermal plasticity

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Exploring Bradysia coprophila's Unique Biology – A Guide to Laboratory Maintenance

Author Spotlight: Exploring Bradysia coprophila's Unique Biology – A Guide to Laboratory Maintenance

Published on: April 19, 2024

Methods for Staging Pupal Periods and Measurement of Wing Pigmentation of Drosophila guttifera

Methods for Staging Pupal Periods and Measurement of Wing Pigmentation of Drosophila guttifera

Published on: January 24, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 12, 2025

A Proboscis Extension Response Protocol for Investigating Behavioral Plasticity in Insects: Application to Basic, Biomedical, and Agricultural Research

A Proboscis Extension Response Protocol for Investigating Behavioral Plasticity in Insects: Application to Basic, Biomedical, and Agricultural Research

Published on: September 8, 2014

Author Spotlight: Exploring Bradysia coprophila's Unique Biology – A Guide to Laboratory Maintenance

Author Spotlight: Exploring Bradysia coprophila's Unique Biology – A Guide to Laboratory Maintenance

Published on: April 19, 2024

Methods for Staging Pupal Periods and Measurement of Wing Pigmentation of Drosophila guttifera

Methods for Staging Pupal Periods and Measurement of Wing Pigmentation of Drosophila guttifera

Published on: January 24, 2018

Area of Science:

Zoology
Evolutionary Biology
Genetics

Background:

Insects comprise 85% of animal species and are crucial ecosystem players.
Many insect species display remarkable phenotypic plasticity, enabling adaptation to various environments.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the mechanisms underlying phenotypic plasticity in diverse insect species.
To explore nutritional size plasticity in Drosophila and wing eye-spot plasticity in Bicyclus anynana.
To detail the thermal plasticity of pigmentation in Drosophila.

Main Methods:

Comparative analysis of phenotypic plasticity across multiple insect models.
Gene expression analysis focusing on melanin synthesis pathway enzymes.
Investigation of regulatory gene interactions, specifically the bab locus in Drosophila.

Main Results:

Demonstrated temperature-modulated expression of tan, yellow, and Ddc genes involved in melanin synthesis.
Identified temperature-sensitive expression of bab locus genes as a factor repressing melanin synthesis.
Observed phenotypic plasticity in insect size and wing patterns.

Conclusions:

Temperature-dependent gene regulation is a significant mechanism for insect pigmentation plasticity.
Understanding these genetic pathways provides insights into insect adaptation and evolution.
Phenotypic plasticity is a widespread and vital trait in insects.