Inherent forms and the evolution of evolution

Area of Science:

• Evolutionary developmental biology
• Biophysics
• Comparative genomics

Background:

• John Bonner's conjecture proposed that the mechanisms of evolution have themselves evolved.
• Earlier work by Bonner introduced "neutral phenotypes" and "neutral morphologies," influenced by D'Arcy Thompson's work on physical determinants of form.
• The study of social amoebae revealed conditional elicitation of intrinsic organizational properties in cell aggregates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the evolution of multicellularity by comparing developmental mechanisms across diverse life forms.
• To re-evaluate Bonner's earlier proposals on neutral phenotypes and morphologies in the context of multicellular evolution.
• To identify causative factors in multicellular evolution beyond genetic and adaptive explanations.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of morphogenesis and developmental outcomes in metazoan embryos, holozoans, dictyostelids, and volvocine algae.
• Examination of shared and disparate mechanistic bases for development across these lineages.
• Integration of concepts from developmental biology, evolutionary theory, and physical sciences.

Main Results:

• Developmental outcomes and morphogenesis share mechanistic bases across diverse multicellular and unicellular lineages.
• Inherent forms and physical properties of developing organisms play a crucial role in evolutionary trajectories.
• The evolution of multicellularity is shaped by factors including material physics and inherent organizational properties, not solely by genes and adaptation.

Conclusions:

• Understanding the evolution of multicellularity necessitates considering the inherent forms of diversifying lineages.
• Causative factors for multicellular evolution extend beyond genes and adaptation to include the physics of materials.
• Bonner's earlier proposals regarding neutral phenotypes and morphologies are relevant to understanding the evolution of multicellular life.