Hormones and phenotypic plasticity: Implications for the evolution of integrated adaptive phenotypes

摘要: It is generally accepted that taxa exhibit genetic variation in phenotypic plasticity, but many questions remain unan- swered about how divergent plastic responses evolve under dissimilar ecological conditions. Hormones are signaling molecules act as proximate mediators of phenotype expression by regulating a variety cellular, physiological, and behavioral re- sponses. not only change cellular physiological states also influence gene directly or indirectly, thereby linking environmental conditions to development. Studying hormonal pathways respond environ- mental those differ between individuals, populations, species can expand our understanding the evolution plasticity. Here, we explore ways study hormone providing new insights into underlying bases for individual, population Using several studies exem- plars, examine 'norm reaction' approach be used investigations hormone-mediated plasticity inform following: 1) cues affect component hormones, receptors enzymes comprise any endocrine sig- naling pathway, 2) epigenetic endocrine-associated genes generate among these diverse components, 3) phenotypes mediated same coupled decoupled via independent components across target tissues. Future apply approaches such reaction norms network modeling concerning hormones link stimuli ecologically-relevant sponses should help unravel evolves (Current Zoology 59 (4): 506-525, 2013). Keywords Hormone, Endocrine, Reaction norm, Developmental Pleiotropy, Ecology, Network