Evolution without standing genetic variation: change in transgenerational plastic response under persistent predation pressure.

ABSTRACT: Transgenerational phenotypic plasticity is a fast non-genetic response to environmental modifications that can buffer the effects of environmental stresses on populations. However, little is known about the evolution of plasticity in the absence of standing genetic variation although several non-genetic inheritance mechanisms have now been identified. Here we monitored the pea aphid transgenerational phenotypic response to ladybird predators (production of winged offspring) during 27 generations of experimental evolution in the absence of initial genetic variation (clonal multiplication starting from a single individual). We found that the frequency of winged aphids first increased rapidly in response to predators and then remained stable over 25 generations, implying a stable phenotypic r

SUBMITTER: Sentis A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6082885 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature