Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity in Growth, Development, and Body Size in the Yellow Dung Fly

Evolution ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 1394 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolf U. Blanckenhorn
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Growth Development

scholarly journals ADAPTIVE PHENOTYPIC PLASTICITY IN GROWTH, DEVELOPMENT, AND BODY SIZE IN THE YELLOW DUNG FLY

Evolution ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 52 (5) ◽  
pp. 1394-1407 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolf U. Blanckenhorn
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Growth Development

scholarly journals Heritability and adaptive phenotypic plasticity of adult body size in the mosquito Aedes aegypti with implications for dengue vector competence

2011 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer R. Schneider ◽  
Dave D. Chadee ◽  
Akio Mori ◽  
Jeanne Romero-Severson ◽  
David W. Severson
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Vector Competence ◽  
Dengue Vector ◽  
Adult Body Size ◽  
Adult Body ◽  
Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity

scholarly journals Plasticity and flexibility in the anti-predator responses of treefrog tadpoles

2021 ◽  
Vol 75 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Castellano Sergio ◽  
Racca Luca ◽  
Friard Olivier
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Natural Selection ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Plastic Response ◽  
Heritable Variation ◽  
Size At Metamorphosis ◽  
Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Similar Body ◽  
And Behavior

Abstract Tadpoles can respond to perceived predation risk by adjusting their life history, morphology, and behavior in an adaptive way. Adaptive phenotypic plasticity can evolve by natural selection only if there is variation in reaction norms and if this variation is, at least in part, heritable. To provide insights into the evolution of adaptive phenotypic plasticity, we analyzed the environmental and parental components of variation in predator-induced life history (age and size at metamorphosis), morphology (tail depth), and behavior of Italian treefrog tadpoles (Hyla intermedia). Using an incomplete factorial design, we raised tadpoles either with or without caged predators (dragonfly larvae, gen. Aeshna) and, successively, we tested them in experimental arenas either with or without caged predators. Results provided strong evidence for an environmental effect on all three sets of characters. Tadpoles raised with caged predators (dragonfly larvae, gen. Aeshna) metamorphosed earlier (but at a similar body size) and developed deeper tails than their fullsib siblings raised without predators. In the experimental arenas, all tadpoles, independent of their experience, flexibly changed their activity and position, depending on whether the cage was empty or contained the predator. Tadpoles of the two experimental groups, however, showed different responses: those raised with predators were always less active than their predator-naive siblings and differences slightly increased in the presence of predators. Besides this strong environmental component of phenotypic variation, results provided evidence also for parental and parental-by-environment effects, which were strong on life-history, but weak on morphology and behavior. Interestingly, additive parental effects were explained mainly by dams. This supports the hypothesis that phenotypic plasticity might mainly depend on maternal effects and that it might be the expression of condition-dependent mechanisms. Significance statement Animals, by plastically adjusting their phenotypes to the local environments, can often sensibly improve their chances of survival, suggesting the hypothesis that phenotypic plasticity evolved by natural selection. We test this hypothesis in the Italian treefrog tadpoles, by investigating the heritable variation in the plastic response to predators (dragonfly larvae). Using an incomplete factorial common-garden experiment, we showed that tadpoles raised with predators metamorphosed earlier (but at similar body size), developed deeper tails, and were less active than their siblings raised without predators. The plastic response varied among families, but variation showed a stronger maternal than paternal component. This suggests that plasticity might largely depend on epigenetic factors and be the expression of condition-dependent mechanisms.

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.

Nicotiana attenuata Genome Reveals Genes in the Molecular Machinery Behind Remarkable Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity

2020 ◽  
pp. 211-229 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aura Navarro-Quezada ◽  
Klaus Gase ◽  
Ravi K. Singh ◽  
Shree P. Pandey ◽  
Ian T. Baldwin
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Nicotiana Attenuata ◽  
Molecular Machinery ◽  
Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity

Causes and Consequences of Phenotypic Plasticity in Body Size

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolf Blanckenhorn
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Phenotypic Plasticity

Adaptive phenotypic plasticity: consensus and controversy

1995 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 212-217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Via ◽  
Richard Gomulkiewicz ◽  
Gerdien De Jong ◽  
Samuel M. Scheiner ◽  
Carl D. Schlichting ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phenotypic Plasticity ◽  
Adaptive Phenotypic Plasticity
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