The jury is still out regarding the generality of adaptive 'transgenerational' effects. (26th August 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sánchez‐Tójar, Alfredo; Lagisz, Malgorzata; Moran, Nicholas P.; Nakagawa, Shinichi; Noble, Daniel W. A.; Reinhold, Klaus
• Editors: Munch, Stephan
• Is Part Of: Ecology letters. Volume 23:Number 11(2020)
• Page Start: 1715
• Page End: 1718
• Publication Date: 2020-08-26
• Subjects: anticipatory effects -- carry‐over effects -- condition‐transfer effects -- intergenerational effects -- maternal effects -- parental effects -- parental programming -- paternal effects -- transgenerational plasticity; Ecology -- Periodicals; 577
• DOI: 10.1111/ele.13479
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1461-023X

Abstract

Abstract: A recent meta‐analysis concluded, ' transgenerational effects are widespread, strong and persistent' . We identify biases in the literature search, data and analyses, questioning that conclusion. Re‐analyses indicate few studies actually tested transgenerational effects – making it challenging to disentangle condition‐transfer from anticipatory parental effects, and providing little insight into the underlying mechanisms. Abstract : A recent meta‐analysis concluded, 'transgenerational effects are widespread, strong and persistent'. We identify biases in the literature search, data and analyses, questioning that conclusion. Re‐analyses indicate few studies actually tested transgenerational effects – making it challenging to disentangle condition‐transfer from anticipatory parental effects, and providing little insight into the underlying mechanisms.