Development in the Wild: Phenotypic Plasticity
Development of organisms in the wild occurs in ecologically variable environments. Phenotypic plasticity occurs when a single genotype alters its phe-notype in response to its environment. Some traits are more plastic than others, and whether a particular trait evolves plasticity depends on the degree of environmental variation experienced by that trait, the quality of environment-dependent natural selection on that trait, and the strength of genetic correlations between the trait expressed in different environments. Thus, identifying the molecular basis of pleiotropy of traits expressed in different environments should be an important agenda in studies of development and plasticity. The strength of pleiotropy across environments can be influenced by environment-dependent gene expression and signal transduction and by the structure of genetic pathways. The degree of environmental dependence of many of these molecular processes, however, is only beginning to be elucidated. Phenotypic plasticity influences adaptation, niche breadth, and ecological ranges and has the potential to influence the evolution of reproductive isolation. Understanding the genetic and ecological mechanisms of plasticity, therefore, will enhance our knowledge of the genetic basis of adaptation and the evolution of diversity.
