Ecosystem genetics: extended phenotype and the problem of its heritability

  • A. P. Simchuk V. I. Vernadsky Taurida National University
  • A. V. Ivashov V. I. Vernadsky Taurida National University

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the analysis of the notion of the extended phenotype, in the sense of intrapopulation genetic variability which has ecosystem consequences. This notion is proposed for the role of basic concept in ecosystem genetics and is widely discussed in the special literature. At the same time, few foreign authors relate it with such phenomena as ecosystem heritability and ecosystem selection. This evokes some scepticism in relation to the concept and leaves open the question on the structure regulating interspecies relations in the ecosystem. Problem arises due to hierarchical nature of Life and because of transferring attributes of an individual to the ecosystem level. The concept of individual consortium may be more fruitful for solution of the problems and for further development of ecosystem genetics. 

References

Голубец М. А. Актуальные вопросы экологии. – К. : Наук. думка, 1982. – 156 с.

Инге-Вечтомов С. Г. Экологическая генетика. Что это такое? // Соросовский образова-тельный журнал. – 1998. – № 2. – С. 59–65.

Чернов Ю. И. Эволюционная экология – сущность и перспективы // Успехи современ-ной биологии. – 1996. – Т. 116, № 3. – С. 277–291.

Adams C. C. The variation and ecological distribution of the snails of the genus Io // National Academy of Sciences. – 1915. – Vol. 12 (p. 2). – P. 1–92.

Aguilar J. M. Patterns of herbivory in the Quercus grisea x Q. gambelii species complex / J. M. Aguilar, W. J. Boecklen // Oikos. – 1992. – Vol. 64. – P. 498–504. >> doi.:10.2307/3545167

Clarke C. A. The evolution of mimicry in butterfly Papilio dardanus / C. A. Clarke, P. M. Sheppard // Heredity. – 1960. – Vol. 14. – P. 163–173. >> doi.:10.1038/hdy.1960.14

Clements F. E. Nature and structure of the climax // Journal of Ecology. – 1936. – Vol. 24. – P. 252–284. >> doi.:10.2307/2256278

Collins J. P. Evolutionary ecology and the use of natural selection in ecological theory // Journal of the History of Biology. – 1986. – Vol. 19. – P. 257–288. >> doi.:10.1007/BF00138879

Community genetics: A consequence of extended phenotype / T. G. Whitham, V. Young, G. D. Mar¬tinsen et al. // Ecology. – 2003. – Vol. 84. – P. 559–573. >> doi.:10.1890/0012-9658(2003)084%5B0559:CAEGAC%5D2.0.CO;2

Dawkins R. The extended phenotype. – New York : Oxford University Press, 1982. – 327 p.

Dickson L. L. Genetically-based plant resistance traits affect arthropods, fungi, and birds / L. L. Dickson, T. G. Whitham // Oecologia. – 1996. – Vol. 106. – P. 400–406. >> doi.:10.1007/BF00334568

Dobzhansky T. Genetics and the origin of species. – Third ed. – New York : Columbia University Press, 1951. – 364 p.

Dunbar M. J. The evolution of stability in marine environments. Natural selection at the level of the ecosystem // American Naturalist. – 1960. – Vol. 94. – P. 129–136. >> doi.:10.1086/282114

Ehrlich P. R. Butterflies and plants: A study in coevolution / P. R. Ehrlich, P. H. Raven // Evolution. – 1965. – Vol. 18. – P. 586–608.

Falconer D. S. Introduction to quantitative genetics / D. S. Falconer, T. F. C. Mackay. – Fourth ed. – Harlow : Longman Science and Technology, 1996. – 464 p.

Floate K. D. Insects as traits in plant systematics: Their use in discriminating between hybrid cottonwoods / K. D. Floate, T. G. Whitham // Canadian Journal of Botany. – 1995. – Vol. 73. – P. 1–13. >> doi.:10.1139/b95-001

Ford E. B. Ecological genetics. – Third ed. – London : Chapman and Hill, 1971. – 410 p.

Fritz R. S. Genetic variation among plants and insect community structure: Willows and sawflies / R. S. Fritz, P. W. Price // Ecology. – 1988. – Vol. 69. – P. 845–856. >> doi.:10.2307/1941034

Gleason H. A. The individualistic concept of the plant association // Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. – 1926. – Vol. 53. – P. 7–26. >> doi.:10.2307/2479933

Goodnight C. J. Experimental studies of community evolution I: The response to selection at the community level // Evolution. – 1990. – Vol. 44. – P. 1614–1624. >> doi.:10.2307/2409341

Goodnight C. J. Experimental studies of community evolution II: The ecological basis of the response to community selection // Evolution. – 1990. – Vol. 44. – P. 1625–1636. >> doi.:10.2307/2409342

Goodnight C. J. The effect of coexistence on competitive outcome in Tribolium castaneum and Tribolium confusum / C. J. Goodnight, D. M. Craig // Evolution. – 1996. – Vol. 50. – P. 1241–1250. >> doi.:10.2307/2410664

Hattenschwiler S. The role of polyphenols in terrestrial ecosystem nutrient cycling / S. Hat-tenschwiler, P. M. Vitousek // Trends in Ecology and Evolution. – 2000. – Vol. 15. – P. 238–243. >> doi.:10.1016/S0169-5347(00)01861-9

Hemingway R. W. Chemistry and significance of condensed tannins / R. W. Hemingway, J. J. Karchesy. – New York : Plenum Press, 1989. – 638 p.

Importance of species interactions to community heritability: A genetic basis to trophic-level interactions / J. K. Bailey, S. C. Wooley, R. L. Lindroth, T. G. Whitham // Ecology Letters. – 2006. – Vol. 9. – P. 78–85.

Madritch M. D. Phenotypic diversity influences ecosystem functioning in an oak sandhills community / M. D. Madritch, M. D. Hunter // Ecology. – 2002. – Vol. 83. – P. 2084–2090. >> doi.:10.1890/0012-9658(2002)083%5B2084:PDIEFI%5D2.0.CO;2

Messina F. J. Variable responses of insects to hybrid versus parental sagebrush in common gardens / F. J. Messina, J. Y. Richards, E. D. McArthur // Oecologia. – 1996. – Vol. 107. – P. 513–521. >> doi.:10.1007/BF00333943

Mode C. J. A mathematical model for the co-evolution of abligate parasites and their hosts // Evolution. – 1958. – Vol. 12. – P. 158–165. >> doi.:10.2307/2406026

Owen D. F. Polymorphism and population density in the African snail Limicolaria martensiana // Science. – 1963. – Vol. 140. – P. 616–617. >> doi.:10.1126/science.140.3567.666

Pimentel D. Population regulation and genetic feedback // Science. – 1968. – Vol. 159. – P. 1432–1437. >> doi.:10.1126/science.159.3822.1432

Plant genetics affects arthropod community richness and composition: Evidence from a synthetic eucalypt hybrid population / H. S. Dungey, B. M. Potts, T. G. Whitham, H.-F. Li // Evolution. – 2000. – Vol. 54. – P. 1938–1946. >> doi.:10.1554/0014-3820(2000)054%5B1938:PGAACR%5D2.0.CO;2

>> doi.:10.1111/j.0014-3820.2000.tb01238.x

Plant hybrid zones affect biodiversity: Tools for a genetic based understanding of community structure / T. G. Whitham, G. D. Martinsen, K. D. Floate et al. // Ecology. – 1999. – Vol. 80. – P. 416–428. >> doi.:10.1890/0012-9658(1999)080%5B0416:PHZABT%5D2.0.CO;2

Ricklefs R. E. Genetics, evolution, and ecological communities // Ecology. – 2003. – Vol. 84. – P. 588–591. >> doi.:10.1890/0012-9658(2003)084%5B0588:GEAEC%5D2.0.CO;2

Swenson W. Artificial ecosystem selection / W. Swenson, D. S. Wilson, R. Elias // Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (USA). – 2000. – Vol. 97. – P. 9110–9114. >> doi.:10.1073/pnas.150237597

Treseder K. K. Potential ecosystem-level effects of genetic variation among populations of Metrosideros polymorpha from a soil fertility gradient in Hawaii / K. K. Treseder, P. M. Vitousek // Oecologia. – 2001. – Vol. 126. – P. 266–275. >> doi.:10.1007/s004420000523

Via S. The ecological genetics of speciation // American Naturalist. – 2002. – Vol. 159. – P. 91–97. >> doi.:10.1086/338368

Whitham T. G. Plant hybrid zones as sinks for pests // Science. – 1989. – Vol. 244. – P. 1490–1493. >> doi.:10.1126/science.244.4911.1490

Whitham T. G. Plant hybrid zones as centers of biodiversity: The herbivore community of two endemic tasmanian eucalypts / T. G. Whitham, P. A. Morrow, B. M. Potts // Oecologia. – 1994. – Vol. 97. – P. 481–490. >> doi.:10.1007/BF00325886

Whittaker R. H. Dominance and diversity in land plant communities // Science. – 1965. – Vol. 147. – P. 250–260. >> doi.:10.1126/science.147.3655.250

Wilson D. S. Community genetics and community selection / D. S. Wilson, W. Swenson // Ecology. – 2003. – Vol. 84. – P. 586–587. >> doi.:10.1890/0012-9658(2003)084%5B0586:CGACS%5D2.0.CO;2

Woolbright S. Genetic analyses of a synthetic population of hybrid cottonwoods with implications for community-level processes. Ph.D. thesis. – Flagstaff : Northern Arizona University, 2001. – 19 p.

Published
2012-02-15
Section
Articles