Journal
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
Volume 374, Issue 1770, Pages -Publisher
ROYAL SOC
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2018.0110
Keywords
evolution; development; environmental statistics; early-life effects; sensitive periods
Categories
Funding
- Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research [016.155.195]
- James S. McDonnell Foundation [220020502]
- Jacobs Foundation [2017 1261 02]
- European Research Council [AdG 666669 COMSTAR]
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There is enduring debate over the question of which early-life effects are adaptive and which ones are not. Mathematical modelling shows that early-life effects can be adaptive in environments that have particular statistical properties, such as reliable cues to current conditions and high autocorrelation of environmental states. However, few empirical studies have measured these properties, leading to an impasse. Progress, therefore, depends on research that quantifies cue reliability and autocorrelation of environmental parameters in real environments. These statistics may be different for social and non-social aspects of the environment. In this paper, we summarize evolutionary models of early-life effects. Then, we discuss empirical data on environmental statistics from a range of disciplines. We highlight cases where data on environmental statistics have been used to test competing explanations of early-life effects. We conclude by providing guidelines for new data collection and reflections on future directions. This article is part of the theme issue 'Developing differences: early-life effects and evolutionary medicine'.
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