Understanding the Rapidly Ticking Epigenetic Clock of Evolution
Have you ever wondered how quickly evolution can occur? It turns out that it may be faster than we think. A new study published in Nature Communications reveals that evolution can occur much faster than previously thought. The research team found that evolution can be tracked using an epigenetic clock, which reveals changes in DNA that occur over time. The researchers found that epigenetic changes can occur on a timescale of only a few generations, as opposed to the hundreds or thousands of generations once thought necessary for evolutionary change. This suggests that evolution can be much more rapid than previously thought. The findings could have implications for understanding how organisms adapt to changing environmental conditions.
source: Phys.org