Evolvability
Evolvability - the capacity to produce heritable phenotypic variation - determines whether ecological opportunity translates into radiation.
Evolvability - the capacity to produce heritable phenotypic variation - determines whether ecological opportunity translates into radiation. Two mechanisms enhance evolvability: modularity (developmental independence of traits, allowing them to evolve independently without pleiotropic constraints) and standing genetic variation (pre-existing polymorphisms that selection can act upon immediately). Cichlid pharyngeal jaws exemplify modularity; threespine stickleback colonizations demonstrate standing variation enabling rapid adaptation.
Business Application of Evolvability
Organizational evolvability requires modular capabilities that can be recombined into new offerings without rebuilding from scratch, plus 'standing variation' in talent and ideas (diverse employee backgrounds, experimental projects, internal entrepreneurship).