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Eco-Evo-Devo: Plasticity and Evolution
This lecture explores the concepts of developmental plasticity and evolution, focusing on the continuous and discrete variations in phenotype in response to environmental factors, such as diet and temperature. It delves into polyphenism in social insects, the role of hormones and epigenetics in caste determination, and the impact of symbiosis on organism development. The lecture also discusses the genetic basis of body plans in arthropods and the regulatory mechanisms of Hox genes. Additionally, it covers the phenomenon of genetic assimilation and the evolutionary advantages of developmental plasticity.