Is Evolutionary Tunneling a Recognized Concept in Evolutionary Biology?

[Loren Booda]

Evolutionary "tunneling"

Consider a specific organism. It initially undergoes a genetic change which is nonbeneficial - even detrimental - to several generations. That intermediary state, however, eventually leads (synergistically with a secondary mutation) to an overall postive adaptation. Without the once defective genes, the progenitor organism in this case would not have achieved the eventual fitter progeny.

Is such "tunneling" considered in evolutionary biology?

 

[Moonbear]

Why do you call it "tunneling?"

Of course such a thing can happen, and is even postulated to be part of the process whereby proteins and their receptors have become functional. In other words, a receptor may exist without a ligand, and has no particular function in the unbound state...until a mutation occurs in some other protein that permits it to bind to the receptor, and a ligand-receptor complex can form. It is not expected that both simultaneously appear in an organism/species.

However, if the change is detrimental, HOW detrimental will factor into it. If it prevents the organisms from surviving, then it is unlikely to be retained long enough for the second mutation to ever happen or have an effect.

 

[ravenprp]

Yes, evolutionary tunneling is a well-known concept in evolutionary biology. It refers to the process by which an organism undergoes a non-beneficial or even detrimental genetic change, but eventually, through a series of subsequent mutations, reaches a more advantageous adaptation. This phenomenon is often seen in cases where a single mutation may not have an immediate benefit, but when combined with other mutations, can lead to a more beneficial trait.

In the example given, the initial genetic change may not have been advantageous on its own, but it opened up the possibility for further mutations to occur and eventually lead to a more fit organism. This type of tunneling allows for the exploration of different genetic pathways and can lead to the emergence of new traits and adaptations.

Evolutionary tunneling is an important concept in understanding the complexity and diversity of life on Earth. It highlights the role of chance and randomness in evolution, as well as the importance of interactions between different genetic changes. This process is constantly happening in all living organisms and is a key mechanism in driving evolution.