The evolutionary process in talitrid amphipods and salamanders in changing environments, with a discussion of "genetic assimilation" and some other evolutionary concepts
The evolutionary process of talitrid amphipods and salamanders involving neoteny in changing environments consists of the aspect of environmental induction of structural changes as a result of altered activity of the preexisting endocrine mechanism and the aspect of natural selection which results in canalization of development and genetic assimilation of the modified (neotenous) phenotype. The prevalence of genetic assimilation is discussed, along with the cases where traditional neo-Darwinism applies. By taking the fact of environment–hormonal induction of gene regulation and the aspect of natural selection into account, mechanisms of macroevolution, preadaptation, plasticity in morphogenesis, and a mode of speciation are discussed. A historical review is presented concerning the theories (the Baldwin effect and Weismann's theory) related to genetic assimilation and neo-Darwinism.