Maternal effects refer to the influence that a mother's environment and experiences have on the development and behavior of her offspring. These effects can be mediated through a variety of mechanisms, including maternal hormones, nutrient provisioning, and genetic inheritance. Maternal effects play a crucial role in shaping the phenotypic traits of offspring and can have lasting impacts on their fitness and survival. Research in this area explores the mechanisms underlying maternal effects, their evolutionary significance, and the ways in which they can be passed down from one generation to the next.