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Following the Dynamics of Structural Variants in Experimentally Evolved Populations
Published on: February 3, 2023
Evolutionary persistence of phenotypic integration: influence of developmental and functional relationships on
Rebecca L Young1, Alexander V Badyaev
1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, USA. rlyoung@email.arizona.edu
Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution
|August 9, 2006
Summary
Evolution of complex traits is influenced by developmental and functional integration. In shrews, mandible shape divergence aligns with ecological needs, not just ancestry, highlighting selection
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental biology
- Comparative anatomy
Background:
- Understanding the evolution of complex traits requires examining morphological integration patterns.
- The distinct roles of developmental and functional integration are often overlooked in trait evolution.
- Functional integration is shaped by environmental selection, while developmental integration can be driven by homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the historical persistence of integration patterns in complex mandibular structures.
- To compare the influence of developmental versus ecological requirements on morphological integration.
- To reveal the relative importance of current selection in the evolution of complex traits.
Main Methods:
- Examined complex mandibular structures in nine species of soricid shrews.
- Compared historical persistence of integration patterns shaped by developmental and ecological factors.
- Analyzed patterns of morphological integration irrespective of phylogenetic relatedness.
Main Results:
- Developmental and functional integration patterns were highly concordant across shrew species.
- This concordance persisted irrespective of phylogenetic relatedness.
- Divergence in mandible shape closely followed variations in functional demands and ecological requirements.
Conclusions:
- Strong selection for developmental homeostasis favors concordant channeling of internal and external variation.
- Morphological integration patterns are significantly influenced by ecological requirements and functional demands.
- Phylogenetic relatedness plays a lesser role in mandible shape divergence compared to ecological factors.
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