Correction: The Evolutionary Consequences of Plasticity in Turtle Ants
A recent correction has been issued for a study on phenotypic plasticity in turtle ants, originally published in the journal *Evolution*. The research investigates how the capacity of a single genotype to produce different phenotypes in response to environmental conditions influences evolutionary trajectories. The original findings suggested that plasticity has opposing effects on the evolution of protein-coding genes versus regulatory loci, offering a nuanced view of how adaptive potential is shaped at the molecular level. This work connects the mechanisms of gene expression regulation with long-term patterns of speciation and adaptation.
Why it might matter to you: For professionals focused on evolutionary mechanisms, this study directly addresses the core concepts of adaptation and the genetic architecture underlying phenotypic variation. It provides a concrete example of how plasticity—a key response to selective pressure—can differentially affect genomic regions, which is critical for refining models of molecular evolution and speciation. Understanding these dynamics can inform more accurate predictions about population responses to environmental change and the potential for adaptive radiation.
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