Graph Theory Applications in Morphology: Insights From Argentina

Graph theory offers a conceptual framework for analyzing complex systems, providing complementary insights into the organization, development, and evolution of morphological structures in biological systems. Graphs describe interactions (edges or links) between entities (vertices or nodes) that can be directed or undirected, weighted or unweighted, and cyclic or acyclic. Over the past decade, a growing community of researchers in Argentina, including the authors of this contribution, has applied diverse graph-theoretical approaches to address questions in functional, evolutionary, and developmental morphology. In Latin America, Argentina stands out for incorporating graph theory and new approaches to network analysis into anatomical research. This review highlights the following particular areas where graph theory has been applied: (I) vertex parameters; (II) graph parameters; (III) graph modular organization and hierarchy; (IV) functional interpretations from modularity throughout graph parameters; (V) graph complexity; (VI) adding the temporal dimension to graphs; (VII) Gabriel graph and percolation in geometric networks; (VIII) dual networks; (IX) flow networks and Markov chains. By presenting these applications and original contributions, this work illustrates how graph theory can enrich morphological evo-devo research while reflecting the development of a growing research community in the region.