Adrian-Kalchhauser, IreneIreneAdrian-KalchhauserSultan, Sonia ESonia ESultanShama, Lisa N SLisa N SShamaSpence-Jones, HelenHelenSpence-JonesTiso, StefanoStefanoTisoKeller Valsecchi, Claudia IsabelleClaudia IsabelleKeller ValsecchiWeissing, Franz JFranz JWeissing2024-09-022024-09-022020-12https://boris-portal.unibe.ch/handle/20.500.12422/40101Understanding the evolutionary and ecological roles of 'non-genetic' inheritance (NGI) is daunting due to the complexity and diversity of epigenetic mechanisms. We draw on insights from molecular and evolutionary biology perspectives to identify three general features of 'non-genetic' inheritance systems: (i) they are functionally interdependent with, rather than separate from, DNA sequence; (ii) precise mechanisms vary phylogenetically and operationally; and (iii) epigenetic elements are probabilistic, interactive regulatory factors and not deterministic 'epialleles' with defined genomic locations and effects. We discuss each of these features and offer recommendations for future empirical and theoretical research that implements a unifying inherited gene regulation (IGR) approach to studies of 'non-genetic' inheritance.enepiallelic variation epigenetics extended inheritance inherited gene regulation theoretical models transgenerational effects500 - Science::570 - Life sciences; biology600 - Technology::630 - Agriculturearticle10.48350/1522763303680610.1016/j.tree.2020.08.011