Parsons, K. J. , McWhinnie, K., Pilakouta, N. and Walker, L. (2019) Does phenotypic plasticity initiate developmental bias? Evolution and Development, (doi: 10.1111/ede.12304) (PMID:31348849) (PMCID:PMC7004013)
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Abstract
The generation of variation is paramount for the action of natural selection. Although biologists are now moving beyond the idea that random mutation provides the sole source of variation for adaptive evolution, we still assume that variation occurs randomly. In this review, we discuss an alternative view for how phenotypic plasticity, which has become well accepted as a source of phenotypic variation within evolutionary biology, can generate nonrandom variation. Although phenotypic plasticity is often defined as a property of a genotype, we argue that it needs to be considered more explicitly as a property of developmental systems involving more than the genotype. We provide examples of where plasticity could be initiating developmental bias, either through direct active responses to similar stimuli across populations or as the result of programmed variation within developmental systems. Such biased variation can echo past adaptations that reflect the evolutionary history of a lineage but can also serve to initiate evolution when environments change. Such adaptive programs can remain latent for millions of years and allow development to harbor an array of complex adaptations that can initiate new bouts of evolution. Specifically, we address how ideas such as the flexible stem hypothesis and cryptic genetic variation overlap, how modularity among traits can direct the outcomes of plasticity, and how the structure of developmental signaling pathways is limited to a few outcomes. We highlight key questions throughout and conclude by providing suggestions for future research that can address how plasticity initiates and harbors developmental bias.
| Item Type: | Articles |
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| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Pilakouta, Dr Natalie and McWhinnie, Kirsty and Parsons, Dr Kevin |
| Authors: | Parsons, K. J., McWhinnie, K., Pilakouta, N., and Walker, L. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
| Journal Name: | Evolution and Development |
| Publisher: | Wiley |
| ISSN: | 1520-541X |
| ISSN (Online): | 1525-142X |
| Published Online: | 26 July 2019 |
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