Open AccessPhenotypic Plasticity and Adaptation in a Holometabolous Insect: The Chironomid Midge
Author(s) -
Athol McLachlan
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
isrn zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2090-5238
pISSN - 2090-522X
DOI - 10.5402/2012/152342
Subject(s) - midge , adaptation (eye) , phenotypic plasticity , biology , phenotype , evolutionary biology , taxon , insect , flexibility (engineering) , ecology , gene , larva , genetics , neuroscience , statistics , mathematics
Attention is currently shifting from a gene-centred view of evolution to a more phenotype-focussed one. Here, I attempt to test this new paradigm against a diverse and ecologically prominent taxon, the chironomid midge. I conclude that putting phenotypic and developmental flexibility at the forefront helps resolve some persistent difficulties in understanding the process of adaptation.
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