What Is an Adaptive Environmentally Induced Parental Effect?

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Elizabeth P. Lacey, Professor (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: Biologists working in fields as diverse as mammalian behavior, plant ecology, microbial genetics, quantitative genetics, and insect ecology have shown that environmentally induced parental effects can be found in most kingdoms of living organisms. Such effects are diverse, have multiple causes, and can be transmitted via multiple pathways. Historically, and understandably, these effects have been studied by biologists who have focused on a particular group of organisms, such as insects or plants, or who have approached the phenomenon from a particular point of view, such as quantitative genetics, ecology, or behavior. The consequence has been the development of multiple terminologies that are not used consistently across disciplines or kingdoms. I believe these inconsistencies hinder the communication among biologists studying these effects, the development of generalized models of parental effects, and the empirical testing of adaptedness of these effects.

Additional Information

Publication
Maternal Effects as Adaptations. Oxford Univ. Press, New York.
Language: English
Date: 1998
Keywords
Parental effects, Environmental influences, Biology, Unified, Terminology

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