The discovery of the multidimensional nature of the inherited information carried by the epigenome and the characterization of its intra‐ and intergenerational dynamics have profoundly changed our understanding of the functioning of biological organisms and the origins of phenotypic diversity. This has raised considerable interest in the study of epigenetics which is emerging as a ‘missing link’ between environmental and phenotypic variation. Recent discoveries have provided important insights into the mechanisms of phenotypic plasticity, inheritance and adaptation; key concepts at the crossroads of individual‐centred approaches (that mostly study proximate mechanisms); and supra‐individual ones (that mostly study ultimate processes). In this context, epigenetics emerges as a major source of inquiry for the study of ecological and evolutionary dynamics. This special feature provides an overview of the role of epigenetics in ecology and evolution.

中文翻译：

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生态学和进化中的表观遗传学

表观基因组携带的遗传信息的多维性质的发现及其代内和代际动态特征的发现，深刻地改变了我们对生物有机体功能和表型多样性起源的理解。这引起了对表观遗传学研究的极大兴趣，表观遗传学正在成为环境和表型变异之间的“缺失环节”。最近的发现提供了对表型可塑性、遗传和适应机制的重要见解；以个人为中心的方法（主要研究近似机制）十字路口的关键概念；和超个体的（主要研究终极过程）。在这种情况下，表观遗传学成为研究生态和进化动力学的主要研究来源。这一特殊功能概述了表观遗传学在生态学和进化中的作用。