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Article
What Role Does Heritable Epigenetic Variation Play in Phenotypic Evolution?
Bioscience
  • Christina L. Richards, University of South Florida
  • Oliver Bossdorf
  • Massimo Pigliucci
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-1-2010
Keywords
  • epigenetics,
  • inheritance,
  • maternal effects,
  • National Evolutionary Synthesis Center,
  • phenotypic plasticity
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1525/bio.2010.60.3.9
Abstract

To explore the potential evolutionary relevance of heritable epigenetic variation, the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center recently hosted a catalysis meeting that brought together molecular epigeneticists, experimental evolutionary ecologists, and theoretical population and quantitative geneticists working across a wide variety of systems. The group discussed the methods available to investigate epigenetic variation and epigenetic inheritance, and how to evaluate their importance for phenotypic evolution. We found that understanding tire relevance of epigenetic effects in phenotypic evolution will require clearly delineating epigenetics within existing terminology and expanding research efforts into ecologically relevant circumstances across model and nonmodel organisms. In addition, a critical component of understanding epigenetics will be the development of new and current statistical approaches and expansion of quantitative and population genetic theory Although the importance of heritable epigenetic effects on evolution is still under discussion, investigating them in the context of a multidisciplinary approach could transform the field.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Bioscience, v. 60, issue 3, p. 232-237

Published as "What Role Does Heritable Epigenetic Variation Play in Phenotypic Evolution?," Bioscience, Vol. 60, No. 3 (March 2010), p. 232-237 © 2010 the Regents of the University of California/American Institute of Biological Science.

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Citation Information
Christina L. Richards, Oliver Bossdorf and Massimo Pigliucci. "What Role Does Heritable Epigenetic Variation Play in Phenotypic Evolution?" Bioscience Vol. 60 Iss. 3 (2010) p. 232 - 237
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/christina_richards/1/