A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal
The evolutionary ecology of individual phenotypic plasticity in wild populations
Authors: Nussey DH, Wilson AJ, Brommer JE
Publisher: WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC
Publication year: 2007
Journal:: Journal of Evolutionary Biology
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY
Journal acronym: J EVOLUTION BIOL
Volume: 20
Issue: 3
First page : 831
Last page: 844
Number of pages: 14
ISSN: 1010-061X
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01300.x
Abstract
The ability of individual organisms to alter morphological and life-history traits in response to the conditions they experience is an example of phenotypic plasticity which is fundamental to any population's ability to deal with short-term environmental change. We currently know little about the prevalence, and evolutionary and ecological causes and consequences of variation in life history plasticity in the wild. Here we outline an analytical framework, utilizing the reaction norm concept and random regression statistical models, to assess the between-individual variation in life history plasticity that may underlie population level responses to the environment at both phenotypic and genetic levels. We discuss applications of this framework to date in wild vertebrate populations, and illustrate how natural selection and ecological constraint may alter a population's response to the environment through their effects at the individual level. Finally, we present future directions and challenges for research into individual plasticity.
The ability of individual organisms to alter morphological and life-history traits in response to the conditions they experience is an example of phenotypic plasticity which is fundamental to any population's ability to deal with short-term environmental change. We currently know little about the prevalence, and evolutionary and ecological causes and consequences of variation in life history plasticity in the wild. Here we outline an analytical framework, utilizing the reaction norm concept and random regression statistical models, to assess the between-individual variation in life history plasticity that may underlie population level responses to the environment at both phenotypic and genetic levels. We discuss applications of this framework to date in wild vertebrate populations, and illustrate how natural selection and ecological constraint may alter a population's response to the environment through their effects at the individual level. Finally, we present future directions and challenges for research into individual plasticity.
UTU Research Portal