Epigenetics Complements and Challenges Darwinian Evolution: From Gene Regulation to the Study of Species Adaptation

Abstract

This paper delves into the role of epigenetics in complementing and challenging Darwinian evolution theory within the field of evolution. Epigenetics has revealed new sources of genetic variation, with epigenetic variations such as DNA methylation and histone modifications capable of influencing gene expression without altering DNA sequences. These variations can spread and accumulate within populations, exhibiting reversibility and dynamism, enabling species to rapidly adapt to environmental changes. Additionally, epigenetics expands the scope of natural selection, revises the patterns of genetic information flow, and highlights the need for updated evolutionary predictive models. Researchers have proposed theoretical integration pathways such as the Extended Evolutionary Synthesis framework, multilevel selection theory, and gene-epigenome coevolution models, offering new perspectives and directions for evolutionary biology research.