Ongoing project
Lamarckism: an example of epigenetism
Development of flight qualities in the domestic pigeon - empiric investigations about the inheritance of acquired traits
Since the domestication of several sub-species of Columbia livia, man has significantly altered their phenotype and their natural behavior. In the course of centuries, pigeon fanciers have succeeded in developing several characteristics and stabilizing them as hereditary traits: variations of shape and colour, several flying styles and abilities (e.g., tumbling, highflight, orientation flight over long distances etc.).
Since the end of the 20th century, the standard explanation models that had previously be assumed as secured knowledge have been more and more questioned, and the question arises if these qualities obtained in human care can be explained on the sole basis of the classical model of inheritance, i.e. by “random” mutations of the DNA and human selection, or if they should be interpreted as modifications caused, or at least influenced, by the “environment” (Lamarckism).
Thanks to its fertility and rapid succession of generations, the domestic pigeons enables us to empirically test this epigenetic hypothesis under quasi-natural conditions and thus, to avoid lab experiences with their associated ethical issues.