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Ontogeny tends to recapitulate phylogeny in digital organisms
Jeff Clune1, Robert T Pennock, Charles Ofria
1Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA. jeffclune@cornell.edu
The American Naturalist
|August 3, 2012
Summary
Ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, meaning developmental stages mirror evolutionary history. This study in a computational system shows early traits appear early in development, influenced by complexity and selection against disruption.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental biology
- Computational systems biology
Background:
- The debate on whether ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny persists.
- Two hypotheses explain recapitulation: selection against developmental disruption and simpler structures preceding complex ones as building blocks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the validity and underlying mechanisms of ontogeny recapitulating phylogeny.
- To test evolutionary hypotheses using a computational system.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a computational system simulating evolutionary dynamics.
- Analyzed the correlation between the historical emergence of traits and their developmental timing.
- Accounted for trait complexity in the analysis.
Main Results:
- Confirmed that ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny: earlier evolved traits appear earlier in individual development.
- Trait complexity significantly correlated with this recapitulation.
- A significant recapitulation tendency persisted even after controlling for trait complexity.
Conclusions:
- Developmental stages mirror evolutionary history (ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny).
- Both trait complexity and selection against developmental disruption contribute to this phenomenon.
- Computational models are valuable for testing evolutionary hypotheses.
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