Discrete adaptive norms: mechanisms and role in evolution

Abstract

In experiments with defensive morph formation in the clones of green algae Scenedesmus acutus, ciliate Euplotes aediculatus and crustacean Daphnia pulex was shown that actinomycin D (inhibitor of de novo transcription) inhibits both transformation of typical morph to the defensive one in the presence of enemies and the opposite transformation of the defensive morph to the typical one after removing of enemies or signals of their presence. From this it follows that each morph has the own gene program and forms capable to discrete adaptive norms formation have relatively more rich genome. The revision of the evolutional role of adaptive modifications were made.