Epigenomic Landscapes Dictate the Predictability of Convergent Evolution
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2025
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| author | Revista, Zen BIOLOGY, 10 |
| author_facet | Revista, Zen BIOLOGY, 10 |
| contents | Convergent evolution, the independent evolution of similar traits in different lineages, often arises due to similar selective pressures acting on available genetic and developmental architectures. While genetic mutations are traditionally viewed as the primary drivers, the role of epigenomic landscapes in biasing evolutionary trajectories and influencing the predictability of convergence remains largely unexplored. This paper proposes that the inherent plasticity and canalization encoded within an organism's epigenome—comprising DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs—significantly shape the accessible phenotypic space and thereby dictate the likelihood and specific forms of convergent outcomes. We hypothesize that stable, conserved epigenomic marks can constrain evolutionary paths, leading to highly predictable convergence, while dynamic, plastic epigenomic states might facilitate novel adaptive responses, potentially reducing predictability or enabling different convergent solutions. We review the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance and their known roles in adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. We then develop a conceptual framework for integrating epigenomic data into studies of convergent evolution, outlining methodologies such as comparative epigenomics and computational modeling to identify epigenomic "rules" governing evolutionary recurrence. Understanding the contribution of epigenomic landscapes promises to refine our predictions of evolutionary trajectories and provide a more comprehensive view of the determinants of evolutionary predictability across diverse taxa. |
| format | Recurso digital |
| id | zenodo_https___doi_org_10_5281_zenodo_17739119 |
| institution | Zenodo |
| language | |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publisher | Zenodo |
| record_format | zenodo |
| spellingShingle | Epigenomic Landscapes Dictate the Predictability of Convergent Evolution Revista, Zen BIOLOGY, 10 Convergent evolution, the independent evolution of similar traits in different lineages, often arises due to similar selective pressures acting on available genetic and developmental architectures. While genetic mutations are traditionally viewed as the primary drivers, the role of epigenomic landscapes in biasing evolutionary trajectories and influencing the predictability of convergence remains largely unexplored. This paper proposes that the inherent plasticity and canalization encoded within an organism's epigenome—comprising DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs—significantly shape the accessible phenotypic space and thereby dictate the likelihood and specific forms of convergent outcomes. We hypothesize that stable, conserved epigenomic marks can constrain evolutionary paths, leading to highly predictable convergence, while dynamic, plastic epigenomic states might facilitate novel adaptive responses, potentially reducing predictability or enabling different convergent solutions. We review the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic inheritance and their known roles in adaptation and phenotypic plasticity. We then develop a conceptual framework for integrating epigenomic data into studies of convergent evolution, outlining methodologies such as comparative epigenomics and computational modeling to identify epigenomic "rules" governing evolutionary recurrence. Understanding the contribution of epigenomic landscapes promises to refine our predictions of evolutionary trajectories and provide a more comprehensive view of the determinants of evolutionary predictability across diverse taxa. |
| title | Epigenomic Landscapes Dictate the Predictability of Convergent Evolution |
| url | https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17739119 |