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Updated: Feb 3, 2026

Electroporation of Craniofacial Mesenchyme

Electroporation of Craniofacial Mesenchyme

Published on: November 28, 2011

Evolvability and craniofacial diversification in genus Homo.

¹Department of Anatomical Sciences, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona 85308.

Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution

|October 30, 2018

Summary

Phenotypic variation within populations influences human evolution and genus Homo diversification. The P matrix, representing this variation, shows a long-term impact on craniofacial evolution, though with statistical uncertainties.

Keywords:

Craniofacial diversification Homo evolutionary rate evolvability neutral evolution selection

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Quantitative genetics
Paleoanthropology

Background:

Variation within populations (P matrix) is known to influence microevolution.
Its long-term impact on macroevolution and species diversification is less understood.

Purpose of the Study:

To assess the long-term impact of the P matrix on human population divergence and Homo genus diversification.
To investigate the role of phenotypic variation in craniofacial evolution.

Main Methods:

Applied evolutionary quantitative genetic approaches.
Analyzed within- and between-population craniofacial variation.
Examined evolvability and rates of evolution across Homo branches.
Used generalized genetic distance to test for selection patterns.

Main Results:

Craniofacial variation similarity supports the P matrix's role in human population divergence.
Higher-than-average evolvability observed across Homo branches suggests long-term P matrix impact, but with statistical uncertainty.
No significant correlation between higher evolvability and increased evolutionary rate was found.
Evidence for neutral, directional, and stabilizing selection during Plio-Pleistocene Homo evolution.

Conclusions:

The P matrix plays a significant role in shaping human craniofacial variation and population divergence.
While the P matrix influences long-term craniofacial evolution in Homo, statistical limitations temper definitive conclusions.
The genus Homo experienced diverse selective pressures during its evolution.