Facilitation of environmental adaptation and evolution by epigenetic phenotype variation: insights from clonal, invasive, polyploid, and domesticated animals
Current Zoology,
Год журнала:
2017,
Номер
3(1)
Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2017
There
is
increasing
evidence,
particularly
from
plants,
that
epigenetic
mechanisms
can
contribute
to
environmental
adaptation
and
evolution.
The
present
article
provides
an
overview
on
this
topic
for
animals
highlights
the
special
suitability
of
clonal,
invasive,
hybrid,
polyploid,
domesticated
species
evolutionary
epigenetics.
Laboratory
field
studies
with
asexually
reproducing
have
shown
epigenetically
diverse
phenotypes
be
produced
same
genome
either
by
developmental
stochasticity
or
induction.
analysis
invasions
revealed
phenotype
variation
may
help
overcome
genetic
barriers
typically
associated
such
as
bottlenecks
inbreeding.
Research
hybrids
polyploids
established
are
involved
in
consolidation
speciation
contributing
reproductive
isolation
restructuring
neo-species.
Epigenetic
even
potential
trigger
but
evidence
still
meager.
comparison
their
wild
ancestors
demonstrated
heritability
selectability
modulating
DNA
methylation
patterns.
Hypotheses,
model
predictions,
empirical
results
presented
explain
how
could
facilitate
speciation.
Clonal
laboratory
lineages,
monoclonal
invaders,
adaptive
radiations
different
age
seem
suitable
empirically
test
proposed
ideas.
A
respective
research
agenda
presented.
Язык: Английский
Selection on the epigenome: small RNA inheritance in animal evolution
Trends in Genetics,
Год журнала:
2025,
Номер
unknown
Опубликована: Май 1, 2025
The
inheritance
of
small
RNAs
(sRNAs)
is
taxonomically
widespread.
Changing
environments
alter
the
production
and
presence
sRNAs
in
germline,
this
can
theory
either
increase
offspring
phenotypic
variance
as
an
evolutionary
bet-hedging
strategy
or
elicit
predictive
adaptive
responses
that
fitness.
Nevertheless,
putative
role
sRNA
systems
evolution
still
debated
it
currently
unclear
how
selection
acts
on
sRNAs.
We
outline
two
strategies
-
specialist
generalist
discuss
non-adaptive
alternatives
implications
different
strategies.
Our
review
suggests
natural
has
been
significantly
overlooked,
potentially
leading
to
misinterpretations
causal
agents
inheritance.
Язык: Английский