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Rapid diversification associated with a macroevolutionary pulse of developmental plasticity.
Vladislav Susoy1, Erik J Ragsdale1, Natsumi Kanzaki2
1Department for Evolutionary Biology, Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology, Tübingen, Germany.
Elife
|February 5, 2015
Summary
Developmental plasticity in nematodes rapidly diversifies feeding structures, driving evolutionary innovation. This process fuels novel forms, even after phenotypes become fixed, promoting sustained exploration of evolutionary possibilities.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental biology
- Nematode biology
Background:
- Developmental plasticity is theorized to drive phenotypic diversification.
- Its macroevolutionary impact on trait evolution requires objective testing.
- Nematodes offer a model for studying the evolution of feeding structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the macroevolutionary potential of developmental plasticity in nematode feeding structures.
- To analyze how mouthpart polyphenism and predatory feeding influence evolutionary rates and diversification.
- To assess the role of plasticity in generating novel feeding forms.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of shape and form using geometric morphometrics on 90 nematode species.
- Assessment of structural complexity in feeding apparatus.
- Evolutionary rate estimation linked to phenotypic states.
Main Results:
- Developmental plasticity, particularly mouthpart dimorphism, correlated with increased structural complexity and elevated evolutionary rates.
- A radiation of feeding forms with novel structures was observed.
- Secondary fixation of a single phenotype led to decreased complexity but further accelerated evolutionary rates.
Conclusions:
- A 'pulse' of developmental plasticity can promote macroevolutionary novelty.
- Sustained rapid exploration of morphospace is possible even after phenotype fixation.
- Plasticity is a significant driver of evolutionary diversification in feeding structures.
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