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Patterns of ontogenetic evolution across extant marsupials reflect different allometric pathways to ecomorphological
Laura A B Wilson1,2, Camilo López-Aguirre3, Michael Archer4
1School of Archaeology and Anthropology, The Australian National University, Canberra, ACT 2600, Australia. Laura.Wilson@anu.edu.au.
Nature Communications
|May 10, 2023
Summary
Australasian marsupials do not show greater variation in ontogenetic allometry than American marsupials. Despite higher morphological diversity, their developmental patterns converge over evolutionary time, especially with similar diets.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Comparative Anatomy
- Macroevolution
Background:
- Australasian marsupials exhibit higher morphological diversity than American marsupials, a phenomenon not fully explained.
- Understanding evolutionary patterns of development (ontogenetic allometry) is key to explaining this diversity.
- Previous studies have not comprehensively compared allometric evolution between these marsupial groups.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if contrasting morphological diversity in Australasian and American marsupials is reflected in their patterns of ontogenetic allometric evolution.
- To analyze macroevolutionary trends in ontogenetic allometry across marsupials.
- To determine if Australasian marsupials exhibit greater variation in allometric trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Compiled ontogenetic data for 62 marsupial species (2091 specimens) from America and Australasia.
- Conducted a comprehensive macroevolutionary analysis of ontogenetic allometry.
- Examined phylogenetic structure and diet-related convergence in allometric patterns.
Main Results:
- Significant lability in ontogenetic allometric trajectories was observed in both groups.
- A phylogenetically structured pattern of allometric evolution was preserved across marsupials.
- Species diverging over 65 million years ago showed convergence in allometric patterns, particularly under animalivorous and herbivorous diets.
- Australasian marsupials did not display significantly greater variation in ontogenetic allometry compared to American marsupials.
Conclusions:
- Contrasting morphological diversity does not stem from greater variation in ontogenetic allometry in Australasian marsupials.
- Evolutionary history and dietary pressures play significant roles in shaping allometric trajectories.
- Developmental patterns can converge over long evolutionary timescales, irrespective of geographic origin or extant diversity levels.
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