Strong biomechanical relationships bias the tempo and mode of morphological evolution

eLife, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 7

Published: Aug. 9, 2018

The influence of biomechanics on the tempo and mode morphological evolution is unresolved, yet fundamental to organismal diversification. Across multiple four-bar linkage systems in animals, we discovered that rapid (tempo) associated with mechanical sensitivity (strong correlation between a system's output one or more its components). Mechanical explained by size: smallest link(s) are disproportionately affected length changes most strongly output. Rate evolutionary change greatest links trait shifts across phylogeny (mode) occur exclusively via influential, small links. Our findings illuminate paradigms many-to-one mapping, sensitivity, constraints: dominated strong correlations exemplify even known for exhibiting mapping. Amidst myriad influences, imparts distinct, predictable footprints diversity.

Language: Английский

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Evolvability and Macroevolution: Overview and Synthesis

Evolutionary Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 49(3), P. 265 - 291

Published: July 7, 2022

Abstract Evolvability is best addressed from a multi-level, macroevolutionary perspective through comparative approach that tests for among-clade differences in phenotypic diversification response to an opportunity, such as encountered after mass extinction, entering new adaptive zone, or geographic area. Analyzing the dynamics of clades under similar environmental conditions can (partially) factor out shared external drivers recognize intrinsic evolvability, aiming analog common-garden experiment. Analyses will be most powerful when integrating neontological and paleontological data: determining among extant populations hypothesized generate large-scale, long-term contrasts evolvability clades; observing large-scale clade histories by reflect genetics development observed directly populations. However, many analyses informative on their own, explored this overview. Differences clade-level visualized diversity-disparity plots, which quantify positive negative departures productivity stochastic expectations scaled taxonomic diversification. Factors evidently promote include modularity—when selection aligns with modular structure morphological integration patterns; pronounced ontogenetic changes morphology, allometry multiphase life cycles; genome size; variety evolutionary novelties, also evaluated using lags between acquisition trait diversification, dead-clade-walking patterns may signal loss extrinsic factors excluded. High speciation rates indirectly foster vice versa. Mechanisms are controversial, but higher Cambrian, possibly early history at other times; tropics; and, marine organisms, shallow-water disturbed habitats.

Language: Английский

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Landscape Evolution as a Diversification Driver in Freshwater Fishes

Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 9

Published: Jan. 11, 2022

The exceptional concentration of vertebrate diversity in continental freshwaters has been termed the “freshwater fish paradox,” with > 15,000 species representing more than 20% all compressed into tiny fractions Earth’s land surface area (<0.5%) or total aquatic habitat volume (<0.001%). This study asks if richness world’s river basins is explainable terms captures using topographic metrics as proxies. River Capture Hypothesis posits that drainage-network rearrangements have accelerated biotic diversification through their combined effects on dispersal, speciation, and extinction. Yet rates capture are poorly constrained at basin scale worldwide. Here we assess correlations between density (data for 14,953 obligate freshwater species) basin-wide landscape evolution 3,119 basins), including: topography (elevation, average relief, slope, drainage area) climate (average rainfall air temperature). We results context both static landscapes (e.g., species-area heterogeneity relationships) transient capture, tectonic activity, disequilibrium). also relax assumptions functional neutrality (tropical vs. extratropical, tectonically stable active terrains). found a disproportionate number large, lowland tropical South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, under predictable conditions large geographic area, climate, low high (i.e., rates). However, our show these only necessary, but not fully sufficient, to explain highest diversity. Basins located regions, places where predicted be most conducive formation over evolutionary timescales. Our consistent predictions several models, including Hypothesis, Mega Intermediate Rate support conclusions numerical modeling studies indicating transience mechanistic driver net riverine riparian organisms widespread distributions.

Language: Английский

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Rethinking phylogenetic comparative methods

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 21, 2017

Abstract As a result of the process descent with modification, closely related species tend to be similar one another in myriad different ways. In statistical terms, this means that traits measured on will not independent others. Since their introduction 1980s, phylogenetic comparative methods (PCMs) have been framed as solution problem. paper, we argue way thinking about PCMs is deeply misleading. Not only has sowed widespread confusion literature what are doing but led us develop susceptible very thing sought build defenses against — unreplicated evolutionary events. Through three Case Studies, demonstrate susceptibility singular events indeed recurring problem biology links several seemingly unrelated controversies. each Study propose potential While details our proposed solutions differ, they share common theme: unifying hypothesis testing data-driven approaches (which term “phylogenetic natural history”) disentangle impact from factors investigating. More broadly, field has, at times, sloppy when weighing evidence support causal hypotheses. We suggest refine inferences re-imagine phylogenies probabilistic graphical models; adopting help clarify precisely and supports claims.

Language: Английский

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Developmental symbiosis facilitates the multiple origins of herbivory

Evolution & Development, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 22(1-2), P. 154 - 164

Published: July 22, 2019

Developmental bias toward particular evolutionary trajectories can be facilitated through symbiosis. Organisms are holobionts, consisting of zygote-derived cells and a consortia microbes, the development, physiology, immunity animals properties complex interactions between microbial symbionts. Such symbionts agents developmental plasticity, allowing an organism to develop in directions. This plasticity lead genetic assimilation either incorporation genes into host genomes or direct maternal transmission microbes. niche construction, enabling microbes remodel anatomy and/or physiology. In this article, I will focus on ability development evolution herbivory. posit that behavioral morphological manifestations herbivorous phenotypes must preceded by successful establishment community symbiotic digest cell walls detoxify plant poisons. The holobionts materials range from being plastic trait, dependent transient environmental becoming heritable trait holobiont organism, transmitted propagation their genes.

Language: Английский

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