Adaptation to heterogeneous environments. II.* Phenotypic plasticity in response to spacing in Linum

1976 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 519 ◽  
Author(s):  
MA Khan ◽  
AD Bradshaw
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Genetic Control ◽  
Linum Usitatissimum ◽  
Field Conditions ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Varietal Differences ◽  
Individual Character ◽  
Abundant Evidence ◽  
Epigenetic Processes

Six varieties of Linum usitatissimum, three of flax and three of linseed, were grown under field conditions at six different spacings, from 1 to 32 in. (2.5–81.3 cm) apart. There was abundant evidence of varietal differences in phenotypic plasticity in response to variation in spacing. This indicates that response to spacing is a genetically controlled and not an automatic phenomenon. The major differences were between the flax and linseed groups; linseed varieties were more responsive in branching. However, there were considerable differences between varieties within each group. Different characters showed very different patterns and degrees of response, which indicated that control of response operates on an individual character rather than on a whole organisms basis. Plausible explanations in terms of natural selection can be given for the origin of many of the differences in the response of varieties and in characters. Taken as a whole, the results suggest that there is precise genetic control of the epigenetic processes involved in the response of plants to spacing, and that evolution of different patterns of response can easily occur. _______________ *Part 1, Evolution, 22: 496-516 (1968).

scholarly journals Effects of Heterogeneous Environment After Deforestation on Plant Phenotypic Plasticity of Three Shrubs Based on Leaf Traits and Biomass Allocation

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinniu Wang ◽  
Jing Gao ◽  
Yan Wu ◽  
Bo Xu ◽  
Fusun Shi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Carbon Content ◽  
Nitrogen Content ◽  
Leaf Area ◽  
Biomass Allocation ◽  
Principal Components ◽  
Leaf Traits ◽  
Adaptive Plasticity ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Heterogeneous Environment

Phenotypic plasticity among natural plant populations is a species-specific ecological phenomenon of paramount importance that depends on their life forms, development stages, as well as environmental factors. While this phenomenon is broadly understood, it has hardly been observed in nature. This study aimed at understanding phenotypic plasticity and ecological adaptability in three shrubs (Salix etosia, Rubus setchuenensis, and Hydrangea aspera) affected by potential environmental variables after deforesting in sparse Larix spp. forest and tall shrub mixed secondary forests. Soil organic carbon content, total nitrogen content, and available nitrogen content were greater outside the forests, contrary to other measured factors whose availability was higher in the forest interiors. In case of leaf traits and stoichiometric indicators, there were significant interactions of leaf area (LA), leaf dry matter (DW), specific leaf area (SLA), and leaf phosphorus content (LPC) between shrub species and heterogeneous environments (P < 0.05) but not for leaf C/N, N/P, and C/P. Principal components analysis (PCA) indicated that soil temperature, pH value, soil carbon content, soil nitrogen content, and MBC and MBN mainly constituted the first component. Summarized results indicated that TB and leaf C/P of S. etosia were significantly correlated with three principal components, but only marginal significant correlations existed between R/S and relevant components. SLA and R/S of R. setchuenensis had marginal significant relationships with independent variables. Both SLA and TB of H. aspera were significantly correlated with three principal components. Based on the pooled values of leaf functional traits and leaf stoichiometric indicators, R. setchuenensis (vining type) had better leaf traits plasticity to adapt to a heterogeneous environment. In descending order, the ranks of biomass allocation plasticity index of three shrubs were H. aspera (bunch type), R. setchuenensis (vining type), and S. etosia (erect type). The highest integrated plasticity values of leaf traits and biomass allocation was observed in H. aspera (bunch type), followed by R. setchuenensis, and by S. etosia with less adaptive plasticity in heterogeneous environments.

MEASURING NATURAL SELECTION ON PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY

Evolution ◽  
1999 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 1704-1713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samuel M. Scheiner ◽  
Hilary S. Callahan
Keyword(s):  
Natural Selection ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity

3. How behaviour develops

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tristram D. Wyatt
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Regulation ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Mate Choice ◽  
Social Influences ◽  
Future Generations ◽  
Gene Frequencies ◽  
Brain Gene Expression ◽  
Genes And Environment

Behaviours evolve by natural selection. As genes influence how behaviours develop, selection on behaviour will alter gene frequencies in subsequent generations: genes that lead to successful behaviours in foraging, parental care, or mate choice, for example, will be represented in more individuals in future generations. If conditions change, then mutations of the genes that give rise to advantageous behaviours will be favoured by selection. ‘How behaviour develops’ explains that the environment is equally important: both genes and environment are intimately and interactively involved in behaviour development. Behavioural imprinting is also discussed along with co-opting genes, gene regulation, social influences on brain gene expression, phenotypic plasticity, and play.

Genetic control of phenotypic plasticity in Asian cultivated and wild rice in response to nutrient and density changes

Genome ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 211-223 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroyuki Shimizu ◽  
Masamichi Maruoka ◽  
Naofumi Ichikawa ◽  
Akhil Ranjan Baruah ◽  
Naohiro Uwatoko ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Genetic Control ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Wild Rice ◽  
Plant Architecture ◽  
Environmental Heterogeneity ◽  
Crop Evolution ◽  
Genetic Changes ◽  
Environmental Signals ◽  
Trait Locus

Phenotypic plasticity is an adaptive mechanism adopted by plants in response to environmental heterogeneity. Cultivated and wild species adapt in contrasting environments; however, it is not well understood how genetic changes responsible for phenotypic plasticity were involved in crop evolution. We investigated the genetic control of phenotypic plasticity in Asian cultivated ( Oryza sativa ) and wild rice ( O. rufipogon ) under 5 environmental conditions (2 nutrient and 3 density levels). Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis was conducted for traits affecting plant architecture and biomass production. By analysing the phenotypic means, QTLs of large effects were detected as a cluster on chromosome 7 under all the environmental conditions investigated; this might have contributed to transitions of plant architecture during domestication, as reported previously. Multiple QTLs of plasticity were also found within this QTL cluster, demonstrating that allele-specific environmental sensitivity might control plasticity. Furthermore, QTLs controlling plasticity without affecting phenotypic means were also identified. The mode of action and direction of allele effects of plasticity QTLs varied depending on the traits and environmental signals. These findings confirmed that cultivated and wild rice show distinctive genetic differentiation for phenotypic plasticity, which might have contributed to adaptation under contrasting environmental heterogeneity during the domestication of rice.

scholarly journals Phenotypic plasticity of aquatic plants in heterogeneous environments: a review

2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-227
Author(s):  
Lei Li ◽  
◽  
◽  
◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Aquatic Plants ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments

scholarly journals Selection on reaction norms, genetic correlations and constraints

1994 ◽  
Vol 64 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter H. Van Tienderen ◽  
Hans P. Koelewijn
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Response Function ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Reaction Norm ◽  
The Other ◽  
Character State ◽  
Heterogeneous Environments ◽  
Local Selection ◽  
Biological Interpretation ◽  
The Relationship

SummaryTwo approaches to the evolution of phenotypic plasticity in heterogeneous environments have recently been put forward. The first focuses on selection on the character expression within each environment; plasticity is seen as a by-product of local selection in various habitats. The second approach focuses on selection on the parameters of the response function of genotypes, and selection is thought to change the frequencies of ‘plasticity’ genes that affect the function. This paper discusses the relationship between the two approaches, with emphasis on applications. A method is described that allows switching from one approach to the other. It is argued that character state and reaction norm approaches, while to a large extent interchangeable, usually differ in the response function chosen. This choice, however, may strongly affect the biological interpretation. The methods outlined in this paper permit one to look at the data from different perspectives in order to avoid this danger.

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