Provide two real examples of extended phenotypes Explain how

Provide two real examples of extended phenotypes. Explain how selection acts in your examples.

Solution

Extended phenotype is the phenotype which is not affected by its biological cellular processes (for example Tissue growth and differentiation) but it is extended and have all the effects that a particular gene has on its environment of the individual (both inside and the outside of the body).

Example 1. The individual can change its environment and female mosquito ( Anopheles) infects human by carrying malarial parasite (Plasmodium sp.). These mosquitos are very much more attracted towards its host as compared to the non-plasmodium carrying mosquitos.Its a part of extended phenotype and its evolution.

Example 2. Another type of extended phenotype is to change the behavior of the host by its parasite. Cuckoo chicks are the best example of this type of extended phenotype. It can be seen when the feeding is increased by the parasitized host birds. This modification in the behavior of host bird is not physically associated but it generally influence its behavior phenotype