Phenotypic Variance | Learn Science at Scitable

nature.com · 2,346 words · saved by 1 readers

Within any given population, there are multiple potential sources of phenotypic variation, and each of these sources reflects a different underlying cause. The particular source of an instance of phenotypic variation determines whether that trait has the ability to respond to natural or artificial selection (i.e., whether the trait has evolutionary potential), as well as whether the trait can respond to environmental changes. Thus, researchers are highly interested in determining the relative importance of both the genetic factors and the environmental factors that lead to particular traits. Moreover, once investigators have determined this information, they can use it to predict the evolutionary dynamics of an entire population with regard to a specific trait (Waldmann, 2001, Fisher et al., 2004, Saastamoinen, 2008).

Phenotypic Variance | Learn Science at Scitable This page has been archived and is no longer updated Adaptation and Phenotypic Variance By: Diane L. Byers, Ph.D. ( Department of Biology, Illinois State University. ) © 2008 Nature Education Citation: Byers, D. (2008) Components of phenotypic variance. Nature Education 1( 1 ) :161 Why are the variable levels and patterns of genetic variation important? Knowledge about how traits vary can reveal the evolutionary dynamics that shape populations. Aa Aa Aa Within any given population , there are multiple potential sources of phenotypic variatio

Phenotypic Variance | Learn Science at Scitable

related reading