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The consequences of phenotypic plasticity in cyclically varying environments: a genetic algorithm study

N Behera1, V Nanjundiah

  • 1Developmental Biology and Genetics Laboratory, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, India.

Journal of Theoretical Biology
|January 21, 1996
PubMed
Summary

Phenotypic plasticity enhances adaptation in changing environments. Increased plasticity or fewer genes can offset negative impacts of environmental cycling on evolution and population fitness.

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Theoretical biology

Background:

  • Phenotypic plasticity is the ability of a genotype to produce different phenotypes.
  • Previous work showed plasticity improves adaptation in fixed environments.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Examine evolutionary dynamics in cyclically varying environments.
  • Investigate the role of phenotypic plasticity in adaptation under environmental change.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a genetic algorithm model.
  • Simulated haploid genotypes evolving in a cyclically varying environment.

Main Results:

  • Environmental cycling decreased the rate of evolution and mean population fitness.
  • Increased phenotypic plasticity compensated for reduced adaptation.

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  • Decreasing the number of genetic loci partially offset fitness reduction.

    • Conclusions:

    • Phenotypic plasticity is crucial for adaptation in fluctuating environments.
    • Genome size may be a factor in the evolution of phenotypic plasticity.