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Evaluating ‘Plasticity-First’ Evolution in Nature: Key Criteria and Empirical Approaches

2016; Elsevier BV; Volume: 31; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.tree.2016.03.012

1872-8383

Nicholas A. Levis, David W. Pfennig,

Evolution and Paleontology Studies

Many biologists are asking whether environmentally initiated phenotypic change (i.e., 'phenotypic plasticity') precedes, and even facilitates, evolutionary adaptation. However, this 'plasticity-first' hypothesis remains controversial, primarily because comprehensive tests from natural populations are generally lacking. We briefly describe the plasticity-first hypothesis and present much-needed key criteria to allow tests in diverse, natural systems. Furthermore, we offer a framework for how these criteria can be evaluated and discuss examples where the plasticity-first hypothesis has been investigated in natural populations. Our goal is to provide a means by which the role of plasticity in adaptive evolution can be assessed.