Epigenetic Principles of Evolution

Epigenetic Principles of Evolution, Second Edition fully examines the causal basis of evolution from an epigenetic point-of-view. By revealing the epigenetic "user" of the "genetic toolkit", this work demonstrates the primacy of epigenetic mechanisms and epigenetic information in generating evolutionary novelties.

The author convincingly supports his theoretical perspective with a host of examples from varied fields of biology, emphasizing changes in developmental pathways as the basic source of evolutionary change in metazoans. The book therefore provides a broader view of epigenetic mechanisms of evolution, moving beyond conventional changes in epigenetic structures such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and patterns of miRNA, sRNA, and mRNA expression.

This second edition is thoroughly updated to reflect new evidence, as well as developing theories in the field of evolutionary epigenetics. New and revised chapters speak to the epigenetic basis of heredity, epigenetic regulation of animal structure and homeostasis, neural manipulation of gene expression, central control of gametogenesis, epigenetic control of early development, the origin of epigenetic information, evolutionary changes in response to environmental stressors, epigenetics of sympatric evolution, and epigenetics of the Cambrian explosion among other topics.

Adopts an integrative approach to examine the causal basis of evolution from an epigenetic point-of-view, with the aim of overcoming current difficulties in the theory of evolutionFeatures all new and revised chapters which reflect novel experimental and observational evidence in the field of evolutionary epigenetics, as well as alternative theoretical approachesOffers a broad view of epigenetic mechanisms of evolution, moving beyond conventional changes in epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation, histone modifications, and patterns of miRNA, sRNA, and mRNA expression

Part One - Epigenetic Basis of Heredity 1. Biological Information and Epigenetic Regulation of Animal Structure and Homeostasis 2. Neural Manipulation of Gene Expression 3. Central Control of Gametogenesis 4. Epigenetic Control of Early Development 5. Neural Control of Post-phylotypic Development 6. The Origin of Epigenetic Information and the Mechanisms of the Epigenetic Inheritance

Part Two - Neural-Developmental Basis of Evolutionary Adaptation 7. Evolutionary Changes and Stress Response to Changes in Environment 8. Intragenerational Developmental Plasticity in Nature 9. Behavioral Adaptation and Evolution of Innate Behaviors 10. Ontogeny: The Workshop of Evolutionary Change

Part Three – Epigenetics of Circumevolutionary Phenomena and the Mechanism of the Evolutionary Change 11. Transgenerational Inheritance in Nature 12. Experimental Transgenerational Inheritance

Part Four – Epigenetic Modes of Metazoan Evolution 13. Origins of Evolutionary Novelties and Innovations 14. Evolution by Loss 15. Evolution by Reverting to Ancestral Characters 16. The Role of Neural Crest in Vertebrate in Evolution 17. Allopatric Speciation in Animal Evolution 18. Epigenetics of Sympatric Evolution 19. Epigenetics of the Cambrian Explosion