scholarly journals Speciation, Phenotypic Variation and Plasticity: What Can Endocrine Disruptors Tell Us?

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Braulio Ayala-García ◽  
Marta López-Santibáñez Guevara ◽  
Lluvia I. Marcos-Camacho ◽  
Alma L. Fuentes-Farías ◽  
Esperanza Meléndez-Herrera ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Endocrine Disruptors ◽  
Gene Transcription ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Genetic Mutations ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Epigenetic Memory ◽  
Epigenetic Modulation

Phenotype variability, phenotypic plasticity, and the inheritance of phenotypic traits constitute the fundamental ground of processes such as individuation, individual and species adaptation and ultimately speciation. Even though traditional evolutionary thinking relies on genetic mutations as the main source of intra- and interspecies phenotypic variability, recent studies suggest that the epigenetic modulation of gene transcription and translation, epigenetic memory, and epigenetic inheritance are by far the most frequent reliable sources of transgenerational variability among viable individuals within and across organismal species. Therefore, individuation and speciation should be considered as nonmutational epigenetic phenomena.

scholarly journals Phenotypic diversity and plasticity index of Eurycoma apiculata populations in Eastern Sumatra, Indonesia based on leaves morphology

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zulfahmi Zulfahmi ◽  
Edi Purwanto ◽  
Parjanto ◽  
Ahmad Yunus
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Plasticity Index ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Phenotypic Differentiation ◽  
Riau Archipelago ◽  
Conservation Method

Abstract. Zulfahmi, Purwanto E, Parjanto, Yunus A. 2020. Phenotypic diversity and plasticity index of Eurycoma apiculata populations in Eastern Sumatra, Indonesia based on leaves morphology. Biodiversitas 21: 2923-2934. Eurycoma apiculata A.W. Benn. is a protected species in Indonesia, but diversity information of this species is limited. The objective of this study was to assess the phenotypic diversity, phenotypic plasticity index, and phenotypic differentiation among populations of E. apiculata in Eastern Sumatra, Indonesia based on leaves morphology. A total of 45 traits were measured on leaves from six populations studied. The result of this found that the phenotypic variation coefficient (CV) of the characters was ranged from 7.41% to 36.97%, revealed the abundant phenotypic variation in the species. The phenotypic CV values of the population varied from 13.95% to 24.10%. The CV values of all populations from the mainland Sumatra (17.75%) were lower than that from the Riau archipelago (23.61%), which revealed that phenotypic traits in mainland Sumatra were more stable compared to populations in the Riau archipelago. The population phenotypic plasticity index value of populations ranged from 0.41 to 0.51, and it was classified as a moderate level. The phenotypic differentiation coefficient among populations in this study was relatively low (VST = 21.06%), indicating a lower phenotypic variation among populations than within populations. The scatter plot of principal component analysis and UPGMA dendrogram divided the six populations studies into two groups. The findings of this study recommend that the in-situ conservation method is an effective protection strategy for E. apiculata while ex-situ conservation method can be implemented as a supplementary method.

scholarly journals Fluctuating selection across years and phenotypic variation in food-deceptive orchids

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giovanni Scopece ◽  
Nicolas Juillet ◽  
Christian Lexer ◽  
Salvatore Cozzolino
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Directional Selection ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Fluctuating Selection ◽  
Deceptive Pollination ◽  
Selection Gradients ◽  
Insect Interactions ◽  
Pollination Strategy ◽  
Selection Differentials

Nectarless flowers that deceive pollinators offer an opportunity to study asymmetric plant-insect interactions. Orchids are a widely used model for studying these interactions because they encompass several thousand species adopting deceptive pollination systems. High levels of intra-specific phenotypic variation have been reported in deceptive orchids, suggesting a reduced consistency of pollinator-mediated selection on their floral traits. Nevertheless, several studies report on widespread directional selection mediated by pollinators even in these deceptive orchids. In this study we test the hypothesis that the observed selection can fluctuate across years in strength and direction thus likely contributing to the phenotypic variability of this orchid group. We performed a three-year study estimating selection differentials and selection gradients for nine phenotypic traits involved in insect attraction in two Mediterranean orchid species, namely Orchis mascula and O. pauciflora, both relying on a well-described food-deceptive pollination strategy. We found weak directional selection and marginally significant selection gradients in the two investigated species with significant intra-specific differences in selection differentials across years. Our data do not link this variation with a specific environmental cause, but our results suggest that pollinator-mediated selection in food-deceptive orchids can change in strength and in direction over time. In perennial plants, such as orchids, different selection differentials in the same populations in different flowering seasons can contribute to the maintenance of phenotypic variation often reported in deceptive orchids.

scholarly journals Contributions of source population and incubation temperature to phenotypic variation of hatchling Chinese skinks

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong-Liang Lu ◽  
Yan-Fu Qu ◽  
Hong Li ◽  
Xiang Ji
Keyword(s):  
Body Mass ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Incubation Temperature ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Population Variation ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Source Population ◽  
Relative Importance ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Hatchling Size

Abstract Phenotypic plasticity and local adaptation are viewed as the main factors that result in between-population variation in phenotypic traits, but contributions of these factors to phenotypic variation vary between traits and between species and have only been explored in a few species of reptiles. Here, we incubated eggs of the Chinese skink (Plestiodon chinensis) from 7 geographically separated populations in Southeast China at 3 constant temperatures (24, 28, and 32 °C) to evaluate the combined effects of clutch origin, source population, and incubation temperature on hatchling traits. The relative importance of these factors varied between traits. Nearly all examined hatchling traits, including body mass, snout–vent length (SVL), tail length, head size, limb length, tympanum diameter, and locomotor speed, varied among populations and were affected by incubation temperature. Measures for hatchling size (body mass and SVL) varied considerably among clutches. Source population explained much of the variation in hatchling body mass, whereas incubation temperature explained much of the variation in other examined traits. Our results indicate that between-population variation in hatchling traits of P. chinensis likely reflects the difference in natural incubation conditions and genetic divergence.

scholarly journals Microenvironmental variables need to effect intrinsic phenotypic parameters of cancer stem cells to affect tumourigenicity

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacob G Scott ◽  
Prakash Chinnaiyan ◽  
Alexander ARA Anderson ◽  
Anita Hjelmeland ◽  
David Basanta
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Therapeutic Strategy ◽  
Tissue Growth ◽  
Genetic Mutations ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Cell Behaviour ◽  
New Information ◽  
Cancer Initiation ◽  
Cancer Types ◽  
Direct Feedback

Since the discovery of tumour initiating cells (TICs) in solid tumours, studies focussing on their role in cancer initiation and progression have abounded. The biological interrogation of these cells continues to yield volumes of information on their pro-tumourigenic behaviour, but actionable generalised conclusions have been scarce. Further, new information suggesting a dependence of tumour composition and growth on the microenvironment has yet to be studied theoretically. To address this point, we created a hybrid, discrete/continuous computational cellular automaton model of a generalised stem-cell driven tissue with a simple microenvironment. Using the model we explored the phenotypic traits inherent to the tumour initiating cells and the effect of the microenvironment on tissue growth. We identify the regions in phenotype parameter space where TICs are able to cause a disruption in homeostasis, leading to tissue overgrowth and tumour maintenance. As our parameters and model are non- specific, they could apply to any tissue TIC and do not assume specific genetic mutations. Targeting these phenotypic traits could represent a generalizable therapeutic strategy across cancer types. Further, we find that the microenvironmental variable does not strongly effect the outcomes, suggesting a need for direct feedback from the microenvironment onto stem-cell behaviour in future modelling endeavours.

scholarly journals Genotypic richness predicts phenotypic variation in an endangered clonal plant

PeerJ ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. e1633 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanna M. Evans ◽  
Elizabeth A. Sinclair ◽  
Alistair G.B. Poore ◽  
Keryn F. Bain ◽  
Adriana Vergés
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Strong Predictor ◽  
Clonal Plant ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
Tissue Loss ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Ecological Processes ◽  
Genotypic Richness

Declines in genetic diversity within a species can affect the stability and functioning of populations. The conservation of genetic diversity is thus a priority, especially for threatened or endangered species. The importance of genetic variation, however, is dependent on the degree to which it translates into phenotypic variation for traits that affect individual performance and ecological processes. This is especially important for predominantly clonal species, as no single clone is likely to maximise all aspects of performance. Here we show that intraspecific genotypic diversity as measured using microsatellites is a strong predictor of phenotypic variation in morphological traits and shoot productivity of the threatened, predominantly clonal seagrassPosidonia australis, on the east coast of Australia. Biomass and surface area variation was most strongly predicted by genotypic richness, while variation in leaf chemistry (phenolics and nitrogen) was unrelated to genotypic richness. Genotypic richness did not predict tissue loss to herbivores or epiphyte load, however we did find that increased herbivore damage was positively correlated with allelic richness. Although there was no clear relationship between higher primary productivity and genotypic richness, variation in shoot productivity within a meadow was significantly greater in more genotypically diverse meadows. The proportion of phenotypic variation explained by environmental conditions varied among different genotypes, and there was generally no variation in phenotypic traits among genotypes present in the same meadows. Our results show that genotypic richness as measured through the use of presumably neutral DNA markers does covary with phenotypic variation in functionally relevant traits such as leaf morphology and shoot productivity. The remarkably long lifespan of individualPosidoniaplants suggests that plasticity within genotypes has played an important role in the longevity of the species. However, the strong link between genotypic and phenotypic variation suggests that a range of genotypes is still the best case scenario for adaptation to and recovery from predicted environmental change.

scholarly journals Extending the Genotype in Brachypodium by Including DNA Methylation Reveals a Joint Contribution with Genetics on Adaptive Traits

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1629-1637 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven R. Eichten ◽  
Akanksha Srivastava ◽  
Adam J. Reddiex ◽  
Diep R. Ganguly ◽  
Alison Heussler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Genetic Relationships ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
Epigenetic Inheritance ◽  
Genetic Differences ◽  
Linear Modeling ◽  
Climate Conditions ◽  
Joint Contribution

Epigenomic changes have been considered a potential missing link underlying phenotypic variation in quantitative traits but is potentially confounded with the underlying DNA sequence variation. Although the concept of epigenetic inheritance has been discussed in depth, there have been few studies attempting to directly dissect the amount of epigenomic variation within inbred natural populations while also accounting for genetic diversity. By using known genetic relationships between Brachypodium lines, multiple sets of nearly identical accession families were selected for phenotypic studies and DNA methylome profiling to investigate the dual role of (epi)genetics under simulated natural seasonal climate conditions. Despite reduced genetic diversity, appreciable phenotypic variation was still observable in the measured traits (height, leaf width and length, tiller count, flowering time, ear count) between as well as within the inbred accessions. However, with reduced genetic diversity there was diminished variation in DNA methylation within families. Mixed-effects linear modeling revealed large genetic differences between families and a minor contribution of DNA methylation variation on phenotypic variation in select traits. Taken together, this analysis suggests a limited but significant contribution of DNA methylation toward heritable phenotypic variation relative to genetic differences.

scholarly journals Diversity of parental environments increases phenotypic variation in Arabidopsis populations more than genetic diversity but similarly affects productivity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Puy ◽  
Carlos P Carmona ◽  
Hana Dvořáková ◽  
Vít Latzel ◽  
Francesco de Bello
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Ecosystem Functioning ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Population Type ◽  
Diversity Effect ◽  
Environmental Fluctuations ◽  
Intraspecific Trait Variability ◽  
Trait Variability

Abstract Background and Aims The observed positive diversity effect on ecosystem functioning has rarely been assessed in terms of intraspecific trait variability within populations. Intraspecific phenotypic variability could stem both from underlying genetic diversity and from plasticity in response to environmental cues. The latter might derive from modifications to a plant’s epigenome and potentially last multiple generations in response to previous environmental conditions. We experimentally disentangled the role of genetic diversity and diversity of parental environments on population productivity, resistance against environmental fluctuations and intraspecific phenotypic variation. Methods A glasshouse experiment was conducted in which different types of Arabidopsis thaliana populations were established: one population type with differing levels of genetic diversity and another type, genetically identical, but with varying diversity levels of the parental environments (parents grown in the same or different environments). The latter population type was further combined, or not, with experimental demethylation to reduce the potential epigenetic diversity produced by the diversity of parental environments. Furthermore, all populations were each grown under different environmental conditions (control, fertilization and waterlogging). Mortality, productivity and trait variability were measured in each population. Key Results Parental environments triggered phenotypic modifications in the offspring, which translated into more functionally diverse populations when offspring from parents grown under different conditions were brought together in mixtures. In general, neither the increase in genetic diversity nor the increase in diversity of parental environments had a remarkable effect on productivity or resistance to environmental fluctuations. However, when the epigenetic variation was reduced via demethylation, mixtures were less productive than monocultures (i.e. negative net diversity effect), caused by the reduction of phenotypic differences between different parental origins. Conclusions A diversity of environmental parental origins within a population could ameliorate the negative effect of competition between coexisting individuals by increasing intraspecific phenotypic variation. A diversity of parental environments could thus have comparable effects to genetic diversity. Disentangling the effect of genetic diversity and that of parental environments appears to be an important step in understanding the effect of intraspecific trait variability on coexistence and ecosystem functioning.

scholarly journals Phenotypic Variation and Plasticity in the Colonizing Species Xanthium Strumarium L. (Noogoora Burr)

1981 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
GF Moran ◽  
DR Marshall ◽  
WJ Müller
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Reproductive Strategies ◽  
Quantitative Traits ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Xanthium Strumarium ◽  
Quantitative Characters ◽  
Major Mode ◽  
Varying Environments ◽  
Colonizing Ability

Levels of genotypic (O'G 2) and environmentally induced (O'E2) variation for 15 quantitative characters were estimated in seven populations of the four naturalized races of X. strumarium in Australia. Estimates of O'G2 indicated that populations of X. strumarium were often genetically variable for quantitative traits. However, for the majority of the characters studied, O'E2 was a larger component of the total phenotypic variation than was O'G 2 , indicating that phenotypic plasticity is the major mode of adaptation of this species to variable and varying environments. Few significant differences were found among the races, or among populations within a race, in either O'G2 or O'E2. This suggests that marked differences in colonizing ability of the four races of X. strumarium are probably not .due to differences in phenotypic plasticity (individual buffering) or genotypic variation (populational buffering) but to differences in such factors as their reproductive strategies and photoperiodic requirements for flowering.

Sex-Specific Phenotypic Variability and Social Organization in the Chiribaya of Southern Peru

2010 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 375-397 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Nystrom ◽  
Christine M. Malcom
Keyword(s):  
Social Organization ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Explanatory Models ◽  
Phenotypic Traits ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Southern Peru ◽  
Yield Information ◽  
The Two Cultures ◽  
Unique Nature ◽  
Biological Relationship

AbstractAnalyses of skeletal phenotypic traits have the potential to yield information pertaining to social organization, such as kinship and residence patterns. In this research, we examine sex-specific phenotypic variability of craniofacial and mandibular metric traits in eight skeletal samples from four sites (San Gerónimo, Chiribaya Alta, Chiribaya Baja, and El Yaral) attributed to the Chiribaya polity (A.D. 772–1350) and a contemporary Ilo-Tumilaca/Cabuza group (El Algodonal) from southern Peru. Through this data set we investigate various aspects of social organization (e.g., postmarital residence patterns) within the Chiribaya polity. We also examine Chiribaya interactions with the contemporaneous, yet culturally distinct, Tumilaca cultural group. The pattern of between-group bias-corrected estimates of biological distances points toward a more distant biological relationship between the two cultures than has previously been reported. Among the Chiribaya groups considered, determinant ratio analyses indicate that males from two cemeteries (Chiribaya Alta Cemetery 4 and Chiribaya Alta Cemetery 7) were significantly more variable than females, suggesting that males were the more mobile sex. Several explanatory models are considered, including a matrilocal residence pattern and the in-migration of males. We also examine the unique nature of results from within Chiribaya Alta, which support the argument made by previous researchers that this site represents a regional political center.

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