Evolution, epigenetic inheritance, development: a diplo/tetraploid model for Anura evolution

Abstract

This review deals with innovative concepts of evolution in vertebrates, such as epigenetic mechanisms and transgenerational inheritance. Evolutionary models based on data of fossil records, cytogenetics and molecular genetics are indicated. The 2R-model of vertebrate evolution is focalized as well as the epigenetic mechanisms of gene regulation and variability of polyploid anurans. It is known that science evolves by routes that are sometimes impelled by puzzling questions. The cytogenetic data here reported for Anurans brought some perplexing considerations involving fundamental concepts of neo-Darwinism regarding slow/fast evolution, ploidy, epigenetics, and transgenerational inheritance. Indeed, a growing body of evidence reveals that besides gene mutations, diversity may also be produced by epigenetic mutations of regulatory segments of DNA. Yet, an intriguing point to be explained is whether these types of mutations can promote evolution via transgenerational inheritance.