Genetic and environmental robustness are distinct yet correlated evolvable traits in a gene network

Robustness to genetic or environmental disturbances is often considered as a key property of living systems. Yet, in spite being discussed since the 1950s, how robustness emerges from complexity architectures and it evolves still remains unclear. In particular, whether not independent various sources perturbations conditions range adaptive scenarios that can be considered. For instance, selection for heritable mutations likely modest indirect, its evolution might result indirect on pleiotropically-related character (e.g., homeostasis). Here, I propose treat measurements quantitative characters, study theoretically, by individual-based simulations, their propensity evolve independently. Based simple evolutionary model gene regulatory network, showed five expression non-genetic were substantially correlated. was mutationally variable several dimensions, components could differentially under direct pressure. Therefore, fact sensitivity factors rely same networks does preclude distinct histories components.