University of Pittsburgh Department of Biological Sciences presents:
Fall 2021 Seminar Series
Dr. David Pfennig
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
"Phenotypic plasticity and the evolutionary origins of novel traits"
One of biology’s most significant unresolved problems is to understand how novel, complex traits originate and subsequently diversify. A growing number of biologists have been asking whether environmentally initiated phenotypic change––phenotypic plasticity––precedes, and even facilitates, evolutionary innovation and diversification. However, this ‘plasticity-led evolution’ hypothesis remains controversial, primarily because comprehensive tests from natural populations are generally lacking. In my talk, I’ll briefly describe the plasticity-led evolution hypothesis, present key criteria to allow tests in diverse natural systems, and discuss a test of these criteria using natural populations of spadefoot toads. Generally, phenotypic plasticity might play an underappreciated role in promoting adaptive evolution.
Monday, October 11th, 2021
Virtual- Zoom Meeting
11:00 A.M. EST
Host: Dr. Martin Turcotte