What I'm gathering from this statement is that if present environmental conditions are somewhat similar to ancestral conditions, then pre-existing plastic responses have the potential to remain helpful in the present conditions. However, if the present conditions are much different than the ancestral conditions, they re no longer helpful, and the individual becomes maladaptive. This is an important concept to keep in mind today, especially with regards to climate change. The changes that are occurring today are happening at an extreme rate. The environmental conditions that many species are facing today are examples of extreme changes. No wonder many species are struggling to adapt to the changing environment. The plastic responses that they once formed may no longer be of use.

Interesting... I hadn't thought of this potential issue until now. Although plasticity can provide the first few steps towards developmental rescue, these initial steps may be more disadvantageous than advantageous.

Agreed, it's context-based. Hence the occurrence of mal-adaptations. Maybe a microbiome is considered healthy within one environment, but as soon as that environment shifts, the microbiome may no longer be optimal for the present environment.

This is super interesting and numerous questions popped into my head. How long is "prolonged", and what happens/how does this happen? Also, I feel as though this risk isn't mentioned much... do expecting mothers know this risk exists?

Put simply, the dark markings on the hind wing become vaguely defined, and some aspects vanish entirely.

This is a new concept for me. I hadn't heard of this, and wow, this is super cool. This is an interesting conservation effort.

Yes, exactly... furthermore, this can help scientists decide which species are in dire need of assistance and conservation efforts.

I know we've discussed this before, but I still find this so fascinating.

Exactly

Interesting way to look at it... epigenetic modifications can definitely assist in increasing and advancing intraspecific diversity.

... and epigenetic mutations are therefore a very important driver of adaptation, which in turn corresponds with an organism's ability and likelihood to adapt to environmental changes & pressures. Hence why it is crucial that mutations at the epigenetic level receive just as much attention as those that occur at the genetic level.

First of all, super interesting. Definitely an avenue of invasive species that I hadn't thought of prior to reading this. Second, this is a great example of why we care about ecological epigenetics when our focus is on phenotypic traits. Through the regulation of epigenetics, various phenotype, some of which may be better/more beneficial for the organism, can be achieved.

In other words, phenotype is achieved not only through genetic variation, but also through epigenetics, and the phenotypic traits that result from epigenetics can differ from those that result from genetic variation. Is it correct to say that epigenetics can potentially provide a segway to a string of phenotypic traits that cannot be achieved through genetic variation?

With respect to the 4th bullet point, this is yet another reason why epigenetics is "non-genetic."

With respect to bullet point #4, epigenetic modifications are considered "non-genetic" because when put simply, epigenetic modifications result in phenotypic changes without making any changes to genetics sequences.

As a ESP major, this reminded me of some of the concepts that we have studied throughout our policy classes. This selectiveness regarding which principles and guidelines to follow is a common occurrence throughout many business, organizations, universities, etc., and quite frankly, it has the potential to be an issue. When a concept is as slippery as this one, individuals/groups do not feel the need to adopt all features and principles that make up such concepts, and thus their efforts may not be as effective, nor as successful.