Homology has been a central concept in evolutionary biology for many decades. However, contemporary findings in evolutionary developmental biology and the amounting evidence of hybridization across the history of life challenge traditional knowledge on trait evolution, in particular, the concept of homology. Phylogenetic networks extend phylogenetic trees to allow for reticulate evolutionary processes such as hybridization and horizontal gene transfers, which can produce original traits. Recent years have also seen the rise of creative molecular, genomic, and developmental approaches that have enabled integrated exploration of the mechanisms by which apparent similarity arises throughout life. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, physiological inheritance, ecological inheritance and behavioral transmission can play significant evolutionary roles by biasing phenotypic variants subject to selection.
Conceptual frameworks advance in response to new data, theories and methodologies. In this Research Topic we want to construct a robust discussion on the future of the homology concept under novel evolutionary paradigms, particularly regarding the challenges imposed by reticulated evolution, developmental plasticity and inclusive inheritance.
The scope of the research topic is the future of the homology concept. Questions we are asking include, but are not limited to:
• How do traits originate under a comparative (phylogenetic) approach, particularly considering hybridization, developmental plasticity and inclusive inheritance?
• Should we expand the homology concept to embrace more than common (monophyletic) origin?
• How does this impact phylogenetic inference and trait evolution interpretation?
We hope this Research Topic will serve fundamental evidence and instigative views on the future of the homology concept to evolutionary biologists and systematic scientists with reviews, fresh perspectives, and original empirical work from a diverse sample of organisms and research communities across the globe.
Homology has been a central concept in evolutionary biology for many decades. However, contemporary findings in evolutionary developmental biology and the amounting evidence of hybridization across the history of life challenge traditional knowledge on trait evolution, in particular, the concept of homology. Phylogenetic networks extend phylogenetic trees to allow for reticulate evolutionary processes such as hybridization and horizontal gene transfers, which can produce original traits. Recent years have also seen the rise of creative molecular, genomic, and developmental approaches that have enabled integrated exploration of the mechanisms by which apparent similarity arises throughout life. Transgenerational epigenetic inheritance, physiological inheritance, ecological inheritance and behavioral transmission can play significant evolutionary roles by biasing phenotypic variants subject to selection.
Conceptual frameworks advance in response to new data, theories and methodologies. In this Research Topic we want to construct a robust discussion on the future of the homology concept under novel evolutionary paradigms, particularly regarding the challenges imposed by reticulated evolution, developmental plasticity and inclusive inheritance.
The scope of the research topic is the future of the homology concept. Questions we are asking include, but are not limited to:
• How do traits originate under a comparative (phylogenetic) approach, particularly considering hybridization, developmental plasticity and inclusive inheritance?
• Should we expand the homology concept to embrace more than common (monophyletic) origin?
• How does this impact phylogenetic inference and trait evolution interpretation?
We hope this Research Topic will serve fundamental evidence and instigative views on the future of the homology concept to evolutionary biologists and systematic scientists with reviews, fresh perspectives, and original empirical work from a diverse sample of organisms and research communities across the globe.
