How to translate text using browser tools
1 March 2010 What Role Does Heritable Epigenetic Variation Play in Phenotypic Evolution?
Christina L. Richards, Oliver Bossdorf, Massimo Pigliucci
Author Affiliations +
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 the 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.

©2010 by American Institute of Biological Sciences. All rights reserved. Request permission to photocopy or reproduce article content at the University of California Press's Rights and Permissions Web site at www.ucpressjournals.com/reprintinfo.asp.
Christina L. Richards, Oliver Bossdorf, and Massimo Pigliucci "What Role Does Heritable Epigenetic Variation Play in Phenotypic Evolution?," BioScience 60(3), 232-237, (1 March 2010). https://doi.org/10.1525/bio.2010.60.3.9
Published: 1 March 2010
JOURNAL ARTICLE
6 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
epigenetics
inheritance
Maternal effects
National Evolutionary Synthesis Center
phenotypic plasticity
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top