Epigenetics of ERV & TE leads to Convergent Evolution without NeoDarwinism


Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in unrelated lineages. 

Neo-Darwinism is a theory of evolution that explains how evolution occurs through natural selection. Natural selection is the process by which organisms with favorable traits are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their genes to the next generation.

Convergent evolution does not fit neatly into the neo-Darwinian framework. This is because neo-Darwinism predicts that similar features should only evolve in closely related lineages. However, convergent evolution shows that similar features can evolve in unrelated lineages, even if they are not closely related.

Convergent evolution is a fascinating phenomenon that is also a challenge to neo-Darwinism.

Convergent evolution is the process by which unrelated species evolve similar traits due to similar environmental pressures. For example, sharks and dolphins both have streamlined bodies and fins, which help them swim efficiently in water. These traits evolved independently in sharks and dolphins, but they are similar because they both live in aquatic environments.

How can TEs and ERVs contribute to convergent evolution?

Transposable elements (TEs) are DNA sequences that can move around within a genome. ERVs are a type of TE that are derived from retroviruses. Both TEs and ERVs can affect the expression of genes, which can lead to the evolution of new traits outside of NeoDarwinism. This is because both TE's and ERVs are noncoding DNA and only coding DNA falls under NeoDarwinism. Only coded proteins can change the phenotype for natural selection to act.

TEs and ERVs can insert themselves into genes that control development. This can lead to changes in the way that a particular organ or tissue develops, which can ultimately lead to the NonDarwinian evolution of a new trait.

In addition, TEs and ERVs can also be epigenetically silenced. This means that they can be turned off, even though they are still present in the genome. Epigenetic silencing can be caused by environmental factors.

If TEs and ERVs are silenced in a particular species, then they will not be able to affect the expression of genes. This can lead to the evolution of a new trait, if the silenced TEs or ERVs were previously affecting the expression of genes that control development.

How does epigenetics explain convergent evolution?

Epigenetics is the study of changes in gene expression that are not caused by changes in DNA sequence as with neodarwinism. These changes can be caused by environmental factors like the presence of TEs and ERVs.

Epigenetic changes can be heritable, which means that they can be passed on to offspring. This means that epigenetic changes can potentially contribute to convergent evolution.

For example, if two species are exposed to similar environmental conditions, then they may both experience the same epigenetic changes. These epigenetic changes could then lead to the non darwinian evolution of similar traits in both species.

TEs, ERVs, and epigenetics can all contribute to convergent evolution. TEs and ERVs can affect the expression of genes, which can lead to the evolution of new traits. Epigenetic changes can also affect the expression of genes, and they can be heritable. This means that epigenetic changes contribute to convergent evolution.

Comments

  1. AnonymousAugust 28, 2023 at 9:56 AM

    You don't seem to understand much about evolution

    ReplyDelete

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