Preface
Contents
List of Contributors
Chapter 1: An Introduction to Epigenetics, Development, Ecology, and Evolution
1.1 Introduction
References
Chapter 2: Epigenetic Regulation: The Cross-Talk among Development, Adaptive Strategies, and Microevolutionary Change
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Developmental Epigenetics
2.2.1 Roles of Epigenetic Mechanisms in Early Windows of Development
2.3 Epigenetic Inheritance: Escaping Reprogramming
2.4 Evolutionary and Adaptive Implications of Epigenetics
2.4.1 Extending the Theory of Evolution?
2.4.2 Epigenetic Phenotypes and Transgenerational Inheritance: Shaping Adaptive Strategies and Microevolution Patterns
2.5 Conclusion
References
Chapter 3: Epigenetics and Phenotypic Plasticity in Animals
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Relationships between Genome, Environment, Epigenetic Mechanisms and Phenotype
3.2.1 Epigenetic Mechanisms Involved in the Production of Phenotypic Plasticity
3.2.2 Epigenetically Mediated Variation of Gene Expression in Response to Environmental Signals
3.3 Association of Epigenetic and Phenotypic Changes during Embryonic Development
3.4 Production of Discrete Phenotypes from the Same Genome with the Help of Epigenetic Mechanisms
3.4.1 Different Cell Types in an Animalยดs Body
3.4.2 Male and Female Phenotypes
3.4.3 Discrete Life Stages of Holometabolous Insects
3.4.4 Different Castes of Social Insects
3.4.5 Cyclomorphosis in Water Fleas
3.5 Production of a Continuum of Phenotypes from the Same Genome with the Help of Epigenetic Mechanisms
3.5.1 Stochastic Developmental Phenotypic Variation (SDPV) and Relationship to Epigenetics
3.5.1.1 Properties and Extent of SDPV in Animals
3.5.1.2 Stochastic Developmental Coat Colour Variation in Inbred Avy Mice
3.5.1.3 Stochastic Developmental Trait Variation in Clutchmates of Parthenogenetic Crayfish
3.5.1.4 Fluctuating Asymmetry
3.5.2 Environmentally Induced Phenotypic Variation (EIPV) and Relationship to Epigenetics
3.5.2.1 Properties and Extent of EIPV in Animals
3.5.2.2 pH-Induced Trait Alterations in Corals
3.5.2.3 Stress Response in Offspring of Differently Caring Rat Mothers
3.5.3 Different Functions of Epigenetically Mediated SDPV and EIPV in Populations
3.6 Role of Epigenetically Mediated Phenotypic Variation in Environmental Adaptation
3.6.1 Adaptation of Monoclonal Snail to Different Habitats and Conditions
3.6.2 Adaptation of Sessile Corals to Adverse Conditions
3.6.3 Adaptation of Fish to Subterranean Habitats
3.6.4 Invasion of Diverse Biomes and Habitats by Parthenogenetic Crayfish
3.7 Role of Epigenetically Mediated Phenotypes in Evolution
3.7.1 Contribution of Epigenetic Mechanisms to Domestication
3.7.2 Contribution of Epigenetic Mechanisms to Speciation
3.7.3 Transgenerational Inheritance and Genetic Integration of Epigenetically Mediated Phenotypes
3.8 Discussion
3.8.1 Generation of Phenotypic Diversity with the Help of Epigenetic Mechanisms
3.8.2 Relevance of Epigenetically Mediated Phenotypic Variation for Development, Ecology and Evolution
3.8.3 Perspectives
References
Chapter 4: Role of Environmentally Induced Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance in Evolutionary Biology
4.1 The Modern Synthesis
4.2 Molecular Epigenetic Mechanisms
4.3 Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance
4.4 Examples of Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance Impacts on Evolution
4.5 Conclusion: Integration of Epigenetic Transgenerational Inheritance and Evolutionary Biology
References
Chapter 5: Transgenerational Epigenetic Programming
5.1 Introduction
5.2 Epigeneticsยด,Transgenerational Inheritanceยด, and `Programmingยด: What Do we Mean by Them?
5.2.1 Epigenetics
5.2.2 Transgenerational Inheritance
5.2.3 Programming
5.2.4 Epigenetic Programming Is Dynamic
5.3 Transgenerational Epigenetic Programming
5.3.1 Epigenetic Programming and Reprogramming in the Next Generation
5.3.2 Within- and Transgenerational Epigenetic Programming beyond Nuclear DNA Inheritance
5.4 Evolutionary Implications of Transgenerational Epigenetic Programming
5.5 Conclusion: Research Challenges and Future Directions
References
Chapter 6: Epigenetics, Evolution and Development of Birds
6.1 Introduction: Birds and the Conceptual Development of Epigenetics
6.2 Waddingtonian Epigenetic Research in Relation to Bird Development and the Environment
6.2.1 Hypoxia
6.2.2 Temperature
6.2.3 Toxicants
6.3 Molecular Epigenetic Research in Relation to Bird Development and the Environment
6.4 Waddingtonian Epigenetic Research in Relation to Birdยดs Evolution
6.5 Molecular Epigenetic Research in Relation to Bird Evolution
6.6 Conclusion
References
Chapter 7: Epigenetics and the Extreme Stress Response
7.1 Introduction
7.1.1 MicroRNA
7.1.2 DNA Methylation
7.1.3 Histone Modification
7.2 Freeze Tolerance
7.2.1 MiRNAs in Freeze Tolerance
7.2.2 DNMT Enzymes in Freeze Tolerance
7.2.3 Histone Modifications Accompany Freeze Tolerance
7.3 Torpor/Hibernation
7.3.1 MiRNA Involvement in Torpor and Hibernation
7.3.2 DNMT Enzymes in Torpor
7.3.3 Histone Modifications during Torpor
7.4 Hypoxia and Anoxia
7.4.1 MiRNAs in Anoxia
7.4.2 DNMT Enzymes under Anoxia
7.4.3 Histone Modifications during Anoxia
7.5 Estivation/Dehydration
7.5.1 MiRNAs in Dehydration
7.6 Conclusions
References
Chapter 8: Epigenetic Adaptation to Local Ecologies as a First Step toward Gene: Culture Co-evolution
8.1 Introduction
8.2 Epigenetics as an Accelerator and Multiplier of Possible Adaptations
8.3 Changes in Diet as Epigenetic Triggers
8.4 Epigenetics, Diet and Cultural Psychology
8.5 Epigenetic Influences on Social Trust
8.6 Directions for Future Research
8.7 Summary
References