Genetic assimilation can occur in the absence of selection for the assimilating phenotype, suggesting a role for the canalization heuristic.

Abstract excerpt

Genetic assimilation occurs when an acquired trait loses dependency on its environmental trigger and becomes an inherited trait. According to the standard quantitative genetic model for genetic assimilation, the trait is determined by the contributions of multiple genes. Trait expression occurs at a lower threshold with the trigger. Selection for the trait in the presence of the trigger increases the frequency of...

Topics

• Biological Evolution
• Computer Simulation
• Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
• Models, Genetic
• Mutation
• Phenotype
• Selection, Genetic