How does epigenetics influence the course of evolution?

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 376(1826), P. 20200111 - 20200111

Published: April 17, 2021

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene activity that can be transmitted through cell divisions but cannot explained by DNA sequence. Epigenetic mechanisms are central to regulation, phenotypic plasticity, development and preservation genome integrity. often held make a minor contribution evolutionary change because epigenetic states typically erased reset at every generation, therefore, not heritable. Nonetheless, there growing appreciation variation makes direct indirect contributions processes. First, some intergenerationally affect phenotype offspring. Moreover,

Language: Английский

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Why Are Invasive Plants Successful?

Annual Review of Plant Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 74(1), P. 635 - 670

Published: Feb. 8, 2023

Plant invasions, a byproduct of globalization, are increasing worldwide. Because their ecological and economic impacts, considerable efforts have been made to understand predict the success non-native plants. Numerous frameworks, hypotheses, theories advanced conceptualize interactions multiple drivers context dependence invasion with aim achieving robust explanations predictive power. We review these from community-level perspective rather than biogeographical one, focusing on terrestrial systems, explore roles intrinsic plant properties in determining species invasiveness, as well effects biotic abiotic conditions mediating ecosystem invasibility (or resistance) evolutionary processes. also consider fundamental influences human-induced changes at scales ranging local global triggering, promoting, sustaining invasions discuss how could alter future trajectories.

Language: Английский

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A synthesis of biological invasion hypotheses associated with the introduction–naturalisation–invasion continuum

Oikos, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 2023(5)

Published: Jan. 27, 2023

With the advent of Anthropocene, biological invasions have reached an unprecedented level, and number species introductions is still increasing in ever‐changing world. Despite major advances invasion science, significant debate lack clarity remain surrounding determinants success introduced species, magnitude dimensions their impact, mechanisms sustaining successful invasions. Empirical studies show divergent impacts alien populations on ecosystems contrasting effects biotic abiotic factors dynamics populations, which hinders creation a unified theory Compounding these issues plethora hypotheses that aim to explain success, can be unclear contradictory. We propose synthesis categorizes along timeline invasion. sorted timeline, considered population, community ecosystem levels. This temporal sorting concepts shows each relevant at specific stage Although empirical findings may appear contradictory, when mapped onto they combined complementary way. An overall scheme proposed summarise theoretical subjected For any given case study, this framework provides guide through maze theories should help choose appropriate according

Language: Английский

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Unveiling the resistance of native weed communities: insights for managing invasive weed species in disturbed environments

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 99(3), P. 753 - 777

Published: Jan. 4, 2024

ABSTRACT Weed communities influence the dynamics of ecosystems, particularly in disturbed environments where anthropogenic activities often result higher pollution. Understanding existing between native weed and invasive species is crucial for effective management normal ecosystem functioning. Recognising potential resistance to invasion can help identify suitable plants restoration operations. This review aims investigate adaptations exhibited by non‐native weeds that may affect invasions within environments. Factors such as ecological characteristics, altered soil conditions, potentially confer a competitive advantage relative or are analysed. Moreover, roles biotic interactions competition, mutualistic relationships, allelopathy shaping described. Emphasis given consideration key factor provides insights conservation efforts Additionally, this underscores need further research unravel underlying mechanisms devise targeted strategies. These strategies aim promote mitigate negative effects By delving deeper into these insights, we gain an understanding ecosystems develop valuable species, restore long‐term sustainability.

Language: Английский

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Exploring the crop epigenome: a comparison of DNA methylation profiling techniques

Frontiers in Plant Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14

Published: May 30, 2023

Epigenetic modifications play a vital role in the preservation of genome integrity and regulation gene expression. DNA methylation, one key mechanisms epigenetic control, impacts growth, development, stress response adaptability all organisms, including plants. The detection methylation marks is crucial for understanding underlying these processes developing strategies to improve productivity resistance crop There are different methods detecting plant such as bisulfite sequencing, methylation-sensitive amplified polymorphism, genome-wide analysis, methylated immunoprecipitation reduced representation MS immuno-based techniques. These profiling approaches vary many aspects, input, resolution, genomic region coverage, bioinformatics analysis. Selecting an appropriate screening approach requires This review provides overview plants, along with comparisons efficacy techniques between model strengths limitations each methodological outlined, importance considering both technical biological factors highlighted. Additionally, modulating species presented. Overall, this will assist scientists making informed decisions when selecting method.

Language: Английский

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A global synthesis of the patterns of genetic diversity in endangered and invasive plants

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 291, P. 110473 - 110473

Published: Feb. 28, 2024

Language: Английский

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The genomic secrets of invasive plants

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Jan. 2, 2025

Summary Genomics has revolutionised the study of invasive species, allowing evolutionary biologists to dissect mechanisms invasion in unprecedented detail. Botanical research played an important role these advances, driving much what we currently know about key determinants success (e.g. hybridisation, whole‐genome duplication). Despite this, a comprehensive review plant genomics been lacking. Here, aim address this gap, highlighting recent discoveries that have helped progress field. For example, by leveraging natural and experimental populations, botanical confirmed importance large‐effect standing variation during adaptation species. Further, genomic investigations plants are increasingly revealing large structural variants, as well genetic changes induced duplication such redundancy or breakdown dosage‐sensitive reproductive barriers, can play adaptive evolution invaders. However, numerous questions remain, including when chromosomal inversions might help hinder invasions, whether gene reuse is common epigenetically mutations underpin plasticity populations. We conclude other outstanding studies poised answer.

Language: Английский

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General‐purpose genotypes and evolution of higher plasticity in clonality underlie knotweed invasion

New Phytologist, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 19, 2025

Summary Many widespread invasive plant species express high phenotypic variation across novel environments, providing a unique opportunity to examine ecological and evolutionary dynamics under global change. However, studies often lack information about the origin of introduced populations, limiting our understanding post‐introduction evolution. We assessed responses Reynoutria japonica from 128 populations spanning latitudinal transects in native (China Japan), (North America Europe) ranges when grown two common gardens. Plants differed almost all traits those Chinese but were similar plants putative Japan. Compared North American, European Japanese expressed lower trait values plasticity most traits. both higher clonality than populations. Further, basal diameter compared Our findings emphasize potential role for invasion success. In addition, study highlights importance comparisons source within range identify environments.

Language: Английский

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Cross‐continental variation of herbivore resistance in a global plant invader

Ecography, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 12, 2025

While successful plant invasions often occur in novel environments, invasive species usually occupy broad niches within their native and introduced ranges. A better understanding of the process invasion therefore requires a wide sampling ranges, good knowledge introduction history. We tested for differentiation herbivore resistance among 128 (European, North American) (Chinese, Japanese) populations Japanese knotweed Reynoutria japonica two common gardens range: one Shanghai other Yunnan. In both gardens, we found that plants from differed China but not Japan, putative source introduction. Compared to Chinese populations, European American had thicker leaves lower C:N ratio higher flavonoids content garden. Variation was more strongly associated with climate collecting sites range than those Our results support hypothesis particularly resistant Japan may have played key role driving biogeographic variation resistance. study highlights importance history interpret divergence global invaders.

Language: Английский

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The epiallelic potential of transposable elements and its evolutionary significance in plants

Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 376(1826), P. 20200123 - 20200123

Published: April 17, 2021

DNA provides the fundamental framework for heritability, yet heritable trait variation need not be completely 'hard-wired' into sequence. In plants, epigenetic machinery that controls transposable element (TE) activity, and which includes methylation, underpins most known cases of inherited variants are independent sequence changes. Here, we review our current knowledge extent, mechanisms potential adaptive contribution epiallelic at TE-containing alleles in this group species. For purpose review, focus mainly on as it an easily quantifiable readout such variation. The picture emerges is complex. On one hand, pronounced differences methylation TE sequences can either occur spontaneously or induced experimentally en masse across genome through genetic means. Many these epivariants stably over multiple sexual generations, thus leading to transgenerational inheritance. Functional consequences significant, they typically limited magnitude although same found nature, factors involved their generation setting remain determined. other moderate reproducibly by environment, again usually with mild effects, tends lost generations. Based considerations, argue alleles, rather than variants, main targets natural selection. Thus, propose TE-associated epivariation, whether stable not, lies predominantly its capacity modulate mobilization response hence providing hard-wired opportunities flexible exploration phenotypic space. This article part theme issue 'How does epigenetics influence course evolution?'

Language: Английский

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