Sparse evidence for selection on phenotypic plasticity in response to temperature.

ABSTRACT: Phenotypic plasticity is frequently assumed to be an adaptive mechanism by which organisms cope with rapid changes in their environment, such as shifts in temperature regimes owing to climate change. However, despite this adaptive assumption, the nature of selection on plasticity within populations is still poorly documented. Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of estimates of selection on thermal plasticity. Although there is a large literature on thermal plasticity, we found very few studies that estimated coefficients of selection on measures of plasticity. Those that did do not provide strong support for selection on plasticity, with the majority of estimates of directional selection on plasticity being weak and non-significant, and no evidence for selection on pla

SUBMITTER: Arnold PA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6365867 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature