Phenotypic Plasticity & Evolution Causes, Consequences, Controversies

Phenotypic plasticity – the ability of an individual organism to alter its features in direct response to a change in its environment – is ubiquitous. Understanding how and why this phenomenon exists is crucial because it unites all levels of biological inquiry. This book brings together researchers who approach plasticity from diverse perspectives to explore new ideas and recent findings about the causes and consequences of plasticity. Contributors also discuss such controversial topics as how plasticity shapes ecological and evolutionary processes; whether specific plastic responses can be passed to offspring; and whether plasticity has left an important imprint on the history of life. Importantly, each chapter highlights key questions for future research. Drawing on numerous studies of plasticity in natural populations of plants and animals, this book aims to foster greater appreciation for this important, but frequently misunderstood phenomenon. Key Features Written in an accessible style with numerous illustrations, including many in color Reviews the history of the study of plasticity, including Darwin’s views Most chapters conclude with recommendations for future research

Foreword: A Perspective on Plasticity Mary Jane West-Eberhard Preface and Acknowledgements David W. Pfennig Section I Plasticity & Evolution: Concepts & Questions Phenotypic Plasticity as an Intrinsic Property of Organisms Sonia E. Sultan"There is Hardly Any Question in Biology of More Importance"––Charles Darwin and the Nature of Variation James T. Costa Key Questions about Phenotypic Plasticity David W. Pfennig Section II Causes of Plasticity: From Genes to Ecology Genetic Variation in Phenotypic Plasticity Ilan Goldstein & Ian M. Ehrenreich Physiological Mechanisms and the Evolution of Plasticity Cristina C. Ledon-Rettig & Erik J. Ragsdale Ecology and the Evolution of Plasticity Emilie Snell-Rood & Sean Ehlman The Loss of Phenotypic Plasticity via Natural Selection: Genetic Assimilation Samuel M. Scheiner & Nicholas A. Levis Section III Consequences of Plasticity: Adaptation, Origination, Diversification Buying Time: Plasticity and Population Persistence Sarah E. Diamond & Ryan A. Martin Innovation and Diversification via Plasticity-led Evolution Nicholas A. Levis & David W. Pfennig Plasticity and Evolutionary Transitions in Individuality Dinah R. Davison & Richard E. Michod Phenotypic Plasticity in the Fossil Record Adrian M. Lister Section IV Plasticity & Evolution: Controversies & Consensus The Special Case of Behavioral Plasticity? Kathryn Chenard & Renee A. Duckworth Plasticity Across Generations Russell Bonduriansky How Does Phenotypic Plasticity Fit into Evolutionary Theory? Douglas J. Futuyma Plasticity and Evolutionary Theory: Where We Are and Where We Should be Going Carl D. Schlichting List of Contributors Index

David W. Pfennig is a professor of biology at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a Sigma Xi Distinguished Lecturer. He is broadly interested in evolutionary biology, ecology, behavior, and developmental biology and is author (with Karin Pfennig) of Evolution’s Wedge: Competition and the Origins of Diversity. His work has been featured on The National Geographic Channel, on the BBC/ PBS’s Nature series, and in The New York Times, Newsweek, National Geographic, Scientific American, New Scientist, and Discover, among other publications.