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Conserved but flexible modularity in the zebrafish skull: implications for craniofacial evolvability
Kevin J Parsons1, Young H Son2, Amelie Crespel3
1Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health and Comparative Medicine, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, UK kevin.parsons@glasgow.ac.uk.
Proceedings. Biological Sciences
|April 20, 2018
Summary
Simple genetic changes significantly alter trait covariance and modularity patterns in zebrafish craniofacial development. This suggests evolution may favor pre-set modularity patterns, enhancing evolvability.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Developmental biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Morphological variation arises from development and fuels adaptive evolution.
- Evolutionary trajectories can be biased by developmental processes and trait covariation, forming variational modules.
- Understanding the genetic basis and temporal dynamics of modularity is crucial for evolutionary potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic basis and dynamics of craniofacial modularity in zebrafish (Danio rerio).
- To compare modularity patterns across laboratory strains, mutant lines, and a wild population.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of craniofacial modularity patterns.
- Utilized laboratory strains, defined mutant lines, and a wild population of zebrafish.
- Statistical detection of trait covariation and modularity.
Main Results:
- Simple genetic alterations profoundly impact trait covariance without significantly altering overall craniofacial shape.
- Mutations induce shifts in latent modularity patterns rather than complete deconstruction of covariance structures.
- The zebrafish skull appears predisposed to a limited set of phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Genetic changes can readily shift modularity, potentially increasing a population's evolvability.
- Pre-existing patterns of modularity may facilitate rapid evolutionary adaptation.
- This provides insight into the interplay between genetics, development, and evolutionary potential.
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