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Cited by 1,466Animal Behavior and ReproductionEvolution and Genetic DynamicsMorphological variations and asymmetry

The role of phenotypic plasticity in driving genetic evolution

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Price, Trevor D., Qvarnström, Anna, Irwin, Darren E.·2003·Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences
DOI 10.1098/rspb.2003.2372PMC PMC1691402
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Abstract

Models of population divergence and speciation are often based on the assumption that differences between populations are due to genetic factors, and that phenotypic change is due to natural selection. It is equally plausible that some of the differences among populations are due to phenotypic plasticity. We use the metaphor of the adaptive landscape to review the role of phenotypic plasticity in driving genetic evolution. Moderate levels of phenotypic plasticity are optimal in permitting population survival in a new environment and in bringing populations into the realm of attraction of an adaptive peak. High levels of plasticity may increase the probability of population persistence but reduce the likelihood of genetic change, because the plastic response itself places the population close to a peak. Moderate levels of plasticity arise whenever multiple traits, some of which are plastic and others not, form a composite trait involved in the adaptive response. For example, altered behaviours may drive selection on morphology and physiology. Because there is likely to be a considerable element of chance in which behaviours become established, behavioural change followed by morphological and physiological evolution may be a potent force in driving evolution in novel directions. We assess the role of phenotypic plasticity in stimulating evolution by considering two examples from birds: (i) the evolution of red and yellow plumage coloration due to carotenoid consumption; and (ii…

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  • The high phenotypic plasticity demonstrated by type I species may act as a brake on adaptive evolution and diversification, because highly plastic populations are likely to persist easily and undergo less genetic change.

    “It is possible that the high phenotypic plasticity demonstrated by type I species may act as a brake on adaptive evolution and diversification, because highly plastic populations are likely to persist easily and undergo less genetic change (Price et al. , 2003; Pfennig et al. , 2010).”

    From Why grow up? <scp>A</scp> perspective on insect strategies to avoid metamorphosis (2016) · cites this paper as Price et al., 2003

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Authors
Price, T. D., Qvarnström, A., & Irwin, D. E.
Affiliations
  • University of Chicago (US)
  • Uppsala University (SE)
  • University of California, Los Angeles (US)
ORCID
Venue
Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences
Publisher
The Royal Society
Published
2003-07-22
Volume
270
Issue
1523
Pages
1433-1440
ISSN
  • 0080-4649 (ISSN-L)
  • 0962-8452
  • 1471-2954
DOI
10.1098/rspb.2003.2372
PMC
PMC1691402
OpenAlex
W2123020279
Cited by
1,466
References
73
Citations by year
2026: 39 · 2025: 46 · 2024: 64 · 2023: 71 · 2022: 80 · 2021: 92 · 2020: 92 · 2019: 114 · 2018: 90 · 2017: 79 · 2016: 80 · 2015: 85 · 2014: 68 · 2013: 78 · 2012: 71
FWCI
2.76
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics › Animal Behavior and Reproduction
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
  • Physical Sciences › Mathematics › Geometry and Topology › Morphological variations and asymmetry
Keywords
phenotypic plasticity, genetic evolution, fitness landscape, population divergence, speciation, behavior change, morphological evolution, physiological evolution, plumage coloration, carotenoids, foraging behavior, island birds, population persistence
MeSH terms
Adaptation, Biological, Animals, Birds, Feeding Behavior, Genetics, Population, Models, Genetic, Phenotype, Pigmentation, Evolution, Molecular

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