title: Non-conflict theories for the evolution of genomic imprinting.
abstract: Theories focused on kinship and the genetic conflict it induces are widely considered to be the primary explanations for the evolution of genomic imprinting. However, there have appeared many competing ideas that do not involve kinship/conflict. These ideas are often overlooked because kinship/conflict is entrenched in the literature, especially outside evolutionary biology. Here we provide a critical overview of these non-conflict theories, providing an accessible perspective into this literature. We suggest that some of these alternative hypotheses may, in fact, provide tenable explanations of the evolution of imprinting for at least some loci.
authors.affiliation: Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology & Evolution and Gravida: National Centre for Growth & Development, Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand.
authors.forename: H G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Clark
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000818:Animals; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005260:Female; D018392:Genomic Imprinting; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012641:Selection, Genetic