title: Population-epigenetic models of selection.
abstract: There is increasing evidence that epigenetic modifications can be passed from one generation to the next. The population-level consequence of these discoveries, however, remains largely unexplored. In this paper, we introduce and analyze some simple models of constant viability selection acting on such heritable epigenetic variation. These "population-epigenetic" models are analogous to those of traditional population genetics, and are a preliminary step in quantifying the effect of non-genomic transgenerational inheritance, aiming to improve our understanding of how this sort of environmental response may affect evolution.
authors.affiliation: National Research Centre for Growth & Development, Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology & Evolution, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand. jemma.geoghegan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Jemma L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Geoghegan
authors.forename: Hamish G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Spencer
mesh_terms: D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005828:Genetics, Population; D012641:Selection, Genetic