Uncovering the mosaic evolution of the carnivoran skeletal system

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

The diversity of vertebrate skeletons is often attributed to adaptations distinct ecological factors such as diet, locomotion, and sensory environment. Although the adaptive evolution skull, appendicular skeleton, vertebral column well studied in vertebrates, comprehensive investigations all skeletal components simultaneously are rarely performed. Consequently, we know little how modes differ among components. Here, tested if phylogenetic effects led cranial, regions extant carnivoran skeletons. Using multivariate evolutionary models, found mosaic which only mandible, hindlimb posterior (i.e. last thoracic lumbar) vertebrae showed evidence adaptation towards regimes whereas remaining reflect clade-specific shifts. We hypothesize that decoupled individual may have origination zones morphologies families hierarchies. Overall, our work highlights importance examining multiple ecomorphological analyses. Ongoing integrating fossil palaeoenvironmental record will further clarify deep-time drivers govern see today reveal complexity processes multicomponent systems.

Language: Английский

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Unexpectedly uneven distribution of functional trade-offs explains cranial morphological diversity in carnivores

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 15(1)

Published: April 16, 2024

Abstract Functional trade-offs can affect patterns of morphological and ecological evolution as well the magnitude changes through evolutionary time. Using morpho-functional landscape modelling on cranium 132 carnivore species, we focused macroevolutionary effects trade-off between bite force velocity. Here, show that rates in form (morphology) are decoupled from function. Further, found theoretical morphologies optimising for velocity to be more diverse, while a much smaller phenotypic space was occupied by shapes force. This pattern differential representation different functions highly correlated with actual disparity. We hypothesise many-to-one mapping shape function may prevent detection direct relationships As comparatively only few optimise force, species this less abundant because they likely evolve. This, turn, explain why certain clades variable than others. Given ubiquity functional biological systems, these general help unevenness diversity across tree life.

Language: Английский

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Evolutionary patterns of cat-like carnivorans unveil drivers of the sabertooth morphology

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(11), P. 2460 - 2473.e4

Published: May 16, 2024

The sabertooth morphology stands as a classic case of convergence, manifesting recurrently across various vertebrate groups, prominently within two carnivorans clades: felids and nimravids. Nonetheless, the evolutionary mechanisms driving these recurring phenotypes remain insufficiently understood, lacking robust phylogenetic spatiotemporal framework. We reconstruct tempo mode craniomandibular evolution Felidae Nimravidae evaluate strength dichotomy between conical saber-toothed species, well morphotypes. To do so, we investigate morphological variation, phenotypic integration, rates, employing comprehensive dataset nearly 200 3D models encompassing mandibles crania from both extinct extant feline-like carnivorans, spanning their entire timeline. Our results reject hypothesis distinctive morphology, revealing instead continuous spectrum in cranium mandible, with sporadic instances unequivocal convergence. Disparity peaked at end Miocene is usually higher clades containing taxa extreme sabertoothed adaptations. show that saberteeth exhibit lower degree allowing to greater range phenotypes. Those same groups burst rate beginning history. Consequently, propose reduced integration coupled rapid rates emerge key components development multiple clades.

Language: Английский

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The carnivoran adaptive landscape reveals trade-offs among functional traits in the skull, appendicular, and axial skeleton

Integrative Organismal Biology, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Synopsis Analyses of form–function relationships are widely used to understand links between morphology, ecology, and adaptation across macroevolutionary scales. However, few have investigated functional trade-offs covariance within the skull, limbs, vertebral column simultaneously. In this study, we adaptive landscape skeletal form function in carnivorans test how among these regions contribute ecological adaptations topology landscape. We found that morphological proxies derived from carnivoran exhibit covariation their performance surfaces, particularly appendicular axial skeletons. These correspond as different landscapes when optimized by various factors including phylogeny, dietary and, particular, locomotor mode. Lastly, topologies underlying surfaces largely characterized a single gradual gradient rather than rugged, multipeak with distinct zones. Our results suggest may already occupy broad zone part larger mammalian masks traits.

Language: Английский

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Emergent network properties link phenotypic modules to ecomorphological divergence in carnivoran mammals

iScience, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 28(2), P. 111828 - 111828

Published: Jan. 18, 2025

The skull is the skeletal core of a multicomponent, multifunctional system that controls organismal activities. A common set modules known in mammal skulls and correlated to developmental functional compartmentalization. However, it unclear what extent these further organize into, evolve as, higher-level networks. Here, we show mammalian represent topological network, where inter-module connectivity correlates with spatial proximity. Deviations from this general pattern are linked evolutionary convergence. Terrestrial aquatic species accelerated sensory masticatory module evolution reduced network linkages compared above ground species. Extreme feeding ecologies yet dissimilar Despite network-like organization elements, macroevolutionary recombination can generate networks link significantly ecological adaptations. More generally, elements exhibit emergent properties as multi-dimensional form-function on which may act.

Language: Английский

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Growth patterns of theoretical bite force and jaw musculature in southern sea otters (Enhydra lutris nereis)

The Anatomical Record, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: April 10, 2025

Abstract The transition from milk to solid food requires drastic changes in the morphology of feeding apparatus and its performance. As durophagous mammals, southern sea otters exhibit significant ontogenetic cranial mandibular presumably enable them feed on a variety hard‐shelled invertebrate prey. Juvenile begin independently by 6–8 months age, but how quickly they reach sufficient maturity biting performance remains unknown. Here, I found that theoretical bite force does not full maturation until during adult stage at 3.6 5.0 years age females males, respectively. slow can be directly attributed growth development cranium primary jaw adductor muscle (i.e., temporalis) may ultimately impact survival newly weaned juveniles limiting their ability process certain Alternative foraging behaviors such as tool use, however, mitigate disadvantages delayed In analyses sexual dimorphism, female reached earlier, whereas male initial rapid force—to needed prey early life—followed slower phase toward coincides with maturity. This biphasic suggests male‐to‐male competition for resources mates exhibits strong selection skull form function otters. Overall, this study demonstrates analysis anatomical data provide insight ecologies life histories across ontogeny.

Language: Английский

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Size And Locomotor Ecology Have Differing Effects on the External and Internal Morphologies of Squirrel (Rodentia: Sciuridae) Limb Bones

Integrative Organismal Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Synopsis Mammals exhibit a diverse range of limb morphologies that are associated with different locomotor ecologies and structural mechanics. Much remains to be investigated, however, about the combined effects modes scaling on external shape properties bones. Here, we used squirrels (Sciuridae) as model clade examine mode structure two major bones, humerus femur. We quantified humeral femoral using 3D geometric morphometrics bone analyses sample 76 squirrel species across their four ecotypes. then phylogenetic generalized linear models test how ecology, size, interaction influenced morphological traits. found size relationships these differ between External shapes and, lesser extent, femur best explained by ecology rather than whereas structures both bones interactions scaling. Interestingly, statistical ecotype were lost when accounting for among under Brownian motion. That assuming motion confounded is not surprising considering ecotypes phylogenetically clustered; our results suggest variation partitioned early clades ecomorphologies maintained present. Overall, show mechanical constraints, evolutionary history may enact pressures in mammals.

Language: Английский

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Scaling patterns of body plans differ among squirrel ecotypes

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11, P. e14800 - e14800

Published: Jan. 25, 2023

Body size is often hypothesized to facilitate or constrain morphological diversity in the cranial, appendicular, and axial skeletons. However, how overall body shape scales with ( i.e. , allometry) whether these scaling patterns differ between ecological groups remains poorly investigated. Here, we test relationships shape, size, limb lengths among species different locomotor specializations, describe underlying components that contribute evolution squirrel (Sciuridae) ecotypes. We quantified of 87 from osteological specimens held at museum collections. Using phylogenetic comparative methods, first found its scale allometrically but allometric ecotypes: chipmunks gliding squirrels exhibited more elongate bodies increasing sizes whereas ground robust size. Second, only exhibit a relationship forelimb length where relatively shorter forelimbs. Third, relative ribs elongation shortening thoracic region contributes most across squirrels. Overall, our work growing understanding mammalian it influenced by ecology, this case subterranean gracile

Language: Английский

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An ecomorphological approach to the relationship between craniomandibular morphology and diet in sigmodontine rodents from central-eastern Argentina

Zoology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 156, P. 126066 - 126066

Published: Dec. 15, 2022

Language: Английский

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Skull evolution and lineage diversification in endemic Malagasy carnivorans

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory), Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: March 29, 2024

Abstract Madagascar is one of the world’s foremost biodiversity hotspots with more than 90% its species endemic to island. Malagasy carnivorans are only four extant terrestrial mammalian clades Madagascar. Although there eight species, these exhibit remarkable phenotypic and ecological diversity that often hypothesized have diversified through an adaptive radiation. Here, we investigated evolution skull in tested if they exhibited characteristics convergence We found their disparity exceeds any other feliform family, as skulls vary widely strikingly capture a large amount morphological variation across all feliforms. also evidence shared zones cranial shape between euplerid subclades felids, herpestids, viverrids. Lastly, contrary predictions radiation, do not rapid lineage diversification marginally faster rates mandibular evolution, lesser extent compared These results reveal exceptional necessary generate striking evolved after dispersal isolation on

Language: Английский

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