Niche construction and extra-genetic adaptation: their roles as mechanisms in evolutionary change

Abstract

The niche construction concept has triggered much controversy related to its tensions with the natural selection concept and with its potential role as an updated version of the “adaptation” concept. Empirical data are providing evidence of certain explanatory weaknesses in the dominant evolutionary theory. The contributions of extra-genetic adaptation studies, together with epigenetic research ones, are shaping a new scenario in evolutionary explanations. The aim of this work is to analyze the interrelation between niche construction, extra-genetic adaptation and phenotypic plasticity as evolutionary explanatory mechanisms. In this respect, this work may act as a bridge between classical approaches of evolutionary theory and as an alternative perspective based on the reversibility of extra-genetic or physiological inheritance.