A role for epigenetics in rapid adaptation.

Epigenetic variation is proposed to be key to rapid adaptation and to interact with genetic change during evolutionary rescue, but timing and persistence remain unresolved.

• Why it matters: The field lacks direct answers on whether epigenetic shifts occur before genetic change, persist over long periods, or affect fitness.
• What they did: The authors argue that temporal sampling across multigenerational studies is the most promising strategy to test these gaps.
• The result: This approach should clarify when epigenetic changes arise, how long they last, and whether they influence fitness alongside genetic evolution during evolutionary rescue.

AI summary of the abstract · may contain errors · not medical advice · read the paper.