Phenotypic Plasticity as a Product of Selection in a Variable Environment

1995 ◽  
Vol 145 (4) ◽  
pp. 493-512 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. de Jong
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Variable Environment

scholarly journals Geographical Variation in Phenotypic Plasticity of Intertidal Sister Limpet’s Species Under Ocean Acidification Scenarios

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco Antonio Lardies ◽  
Paz Caballero ◽  
Cristián Duarte ◽  
María Josefina Poupin
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Ocean Acidification ◽  
Carbonate Content ◽  
Experimental Conditions ◽  
Variable Environment ◽  
Chilean Coast ◽  
Stable Environment ◽  
Evolutionary Level ◽  
Species Specific

Ocean Acidification (OA) can have pervasive effects in calcifying marine organisms, and a better understanding of how different populations respond at the physiological and evolutionary level could help to model the impacts of global change in marine ecosystems. Due to its natural geography and oceanographic processes, the Chilean coast provides a natural laboratory where benthic organisms are frequently exposed to diverse projected OA scenarios. The goal of this study was to assess whether a population of mollusks thriving in a more variable environment (Talcaruca) would present higher phenotypic plasticity in physiological and morphological traits in response to different pCO2 when compared to a population of the same species from a more stable environment (Los Molles). To achieve this, two benthic limpets (Scurria zebrina and Scurria viridula) inhabiting these two contrasting localities were exposed to ocean acidification experimental conditions representing the current pCO2 in the Chilean coast (500 μatm) and the levels predicted for the year 2100 in upwelling zones (1500 (μatm). Our results show that the responses to OA are species-specific, even in this related species. Interestingly, S. viridula showed better performance under OA than S. zebrina (i.e., similar sizes and carbonate content in individuals from both populations; lower effects of acidification on the growth rate combined with a reduction of metabolism at higher pCO2). Remarkably, these characteristics could explain this species’ success in overstepping the biogeographical break in the area of Talcaruca, which S. zebrina cannot achieve. Besides, the results show that the habitat factor has a strong influence on some traits. For instance, individuals from Talcaruca presented a higher growth rate plasticity index and lower shell dissolution rates in acidified conditions than those from Los Molles. These results show that limpets from the variable environment tend to display higher plasticity, buffering the physiological effects of OA compared with limpets from the more stable environment. Taken together, these findings highlight the key role of geographic variation in phenotypic plasticity to determine the vulnerability of calcifying organisms to future scenarios of OA.

scholarly journals Male sexual signal predicts phenotypic plasticity in offspring: implications for the evolution of plasticity and local adaptation

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1768) ◽  
pp. 20180179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrick W. Kelly ◽  
David W. Pfennig ◽  
Sofia de la Serna Buzón ◽  
Karin S. Pfennig
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Selection ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Local Adaptation ◽  
Experimental System ◽  
Female Mate Choice ◽  
Adaptive Plasticity ◽  
Variable Environment ◽  
Sexual Signal ◽  
Spadefoot Toads ◽  
Variable Environments

In a rapidly changing world, understanding the processes that influence a population's ability to respond to natural selection is critical for identifying how to preserve biodiversity. Two such processes are phenotypic plasticity and sexual selection. Whereas plasticity can facilitate local adaptation, sexual selection potentially impedes local adaptation, especially in rapidly changing or variable environments. Here we hypothesize that, when females preferentially choose males that sire plastic offspring, sexual selection can actually facilitate local adaptation to variable or novel environments by promoting the evolution of adaptive plasticity. We tested this hypothesis by evaluating whether male sexual signals could indicate plasticity in their offspring and, concomitantly, their offspring's ability to produce locally adapted phenotypes. Using spadefoot toads (Spea multiplicata) as our experimental system, we show that a male sexual signal predicts plasticity in his offspring's resource-use morphology. Specifically, faster-calling males (which are preferred by females) produce more plastic offspring; such plasticity, in turn, enables these males' offspring to respond adaptively to the spadefoots’ highly variable environment. The association between a preferred male signal and adaptive plasticity in his offspring suggests that female mate choice can favour the evolution and maintenance of phenotypic plasticity and thereby foster adaptation to a variable environment.This article is part of the theme issue ‘The role of plasticity in phenotypic adaptation to rapid environmental change’.

scholarly journals Maintenance of genetic variation in phenotypic plasticity: the role of environmental variation

2000 ◽  
Vol 76 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-304 ◽  
Author(s):  
GERDIEN de JONG ◽  
SERGEY GAVRILETS
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variation ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Temporal Variation ◽  
Genetic Variance ◽  
Reaction Norm ◽  
Reaction Norms ◽  
Stabilizing Selection ◽  
Variable Environment ◽  
Linear Reaction

We study genetic variation in phenotypic plasticity maintained by a balance between mutation and weak stabilizing selection. We consider linear reaction norms allowing for spatial and/or temporal variation in the environments of development and selection. We show that the overall genetic variation maintained does not depend on whether the trait is plastic or not. The genetic variances in height and slope of a linear reaction norm, and their covariance, are predicted to decrease with the variation in the environment. Non-pleiotropic loci influencing either height or slope are expected to decrease the genetic variance in slope relative to that in height. Decrease in the ratio of genetic variance in slope to genetic variance in height with increasing variation in the environment presents a test for the presence of loci that only influence the slope, and not the height. We use data on Drosophila to test the theory. In seven of eight pair-wise comparisons genetic variation in reaction norm is higher in a less variable environment than in a more variable environment, which is in accord with the model's predictions.

scholarly journals Phenotypic plasticity facilitates resistance to climate change in a highly variable environment

Oecologia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 169 (1) ◽  
pp. 269-279 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Richter ◽  
Tabea Kipfer ◽  
Thomas Wohlgemuth ◽  
Carlos Calderón Guerrero ◽  
Jaboury Ghazoul ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Variable Environment

scholarly journals Experimental Evolution Across Different Thermal Regimes Yields Genetic Divergence in Recombination Fraction But No Divergence in Temperature-Associated Plastic Recombination

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn P. Kohl ◽  
Nadia D. Singh
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Experimental Evolution ◽  
Recombination Rate ◽  
Population Level ◽  
Recombination Fraction ◽  
Spatial And Temporal Variation ◽  
Variable Environment ◽  
Variable Environments ◽  
Response To Temperature

AbstractPhenotypic plasticity is pervasive in nature. One mechanism underlying the evolution and maintenance of such plasticity is environmental heterogeneity. Indeed, theory indicates that both spatial and temporal variation in the environment should favor the evolution of phenotypic plasticity under a variety of conditions. Cyclical environmental conditions have also been shown to yield evolved increases in recombination frequency. Here were use a panel of replicated experimental evolution populations of D. melanogaster to test whether variable environments favor enhanced plasticity in recombination rate and/or increased recombination rate in response to temperature. In contrast to expectation, we find no evidence for either enhanced plasticity in recombination or increased rates of recombination in the variable environment lines. Our data confirm a role of temperature in mediating recombination fraction in D. melanogaster, and indicate that recombination is genetically and plastically depressed under lower temperatures. Our data further suggest that the genetic architectures underlying plastic recombination and population-level variation in recombination rate are likely to be distinct.

Age, timing, and a variable environment affect double brooding of a long-lived seabird

2017 ◽  
Vol 564 ◽  
pp. 187-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
ME Johns ◽  
P Warzybok ◽  
RW Bradley ◽  
J Jahncke ◽  
M Lindberg ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Variable Environment ◽  
Double Brooding

Ecology and biogeography in the introduction to “De bestiis marinis” by Georg Wilhelm Steller

2019 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-74
Author(s):  
Stefano Mattioli
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Geographical Distribution ◽  
Functional Traits ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Main Part ◽  
Wide Distribution ◽  
Restricted Range ◽  
Direct Influence ◽  
Modern Biology

The rediscovery of the original, unedited Latin manuscript of Georg Wilhelm Steller's “De bestiis marinis” (“On marine mammals”), first published in 1751, calls for a new translation into English. The main part of the treatise contains detailed descriptions of four marine mammals, but the introduction is devoted to more general issues, including innovative speculation on morphology, ecology and biogeography, anticipating arguments and concepts of modern biology. Steller noted early that climate and food have a direct influence on body size, pelage and functional traits of mammals, potentially affecting reversible changes (phenotypic plasticity). Feeding and other behavioural habits have an impact on the geographical distribution of mammals. Species with a broad diet tend to have a wide distribution, whereas animals with a narrow diet more likely have only a restricted range. According to Steller, both sea and land then still concealed countless animals unknown to science.

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