Thirty years of geometric morphometrics: Achievements, challenges, and the ongoing quest for biological meaningfulness

American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 178(S74), С. 181 - 210

Опубликована: Май 29, 2022

The foundations of geometric morphometrics were worked out about 30 years ago and have continually been refined extended. What has remained as a central thrust source debate in the community is shared goal meaningful biological inference through tight connection between theory, measurement, multivariate biostatistics, geometry. Here we review building blocks modern morphometrics: representation organismal geometry by landmarks semilandmarks, computation shape or form variables via superimposition, visualization statistical results actual shapes forms, decomposition variation into symmetric asymmetric components different spatial scales, interpretation various geometries space, models association other variables, such environmental, genetic, behavioral data. We focus on recent developments current methodological challenges, especially those arising from increasing number emphasize importance thorough exploratory analyses rather than single scalar summary statistics. outline promising directions for further research evaluation new developments, "landmark-free" approaches. To illustrate these methods, analyze three-dimensional human face based data Avon Longitudinal Study Parents Children (ALSPAC).

Язык: Английский

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Evolvability and Macroevolution: Overview and Synthesis

Evolutionary Biology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 49(3), С. 265 - 291

Опубликована: Июль 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.

Язык: Английский

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A systematic comparative description of extant turtle humeri, with comments on humerus disparity and evolution based on fossil comparisons

The Anatomical Record, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 307(11), С. 3437 - 3505

Опубликована: Май 8, 2024

The humerus is central for locomotion in turtles as quadrupedal animals. Osteological variation across testudine clades remains poorly documented. Here, we systematically describe the anatomy all major extant turtle based on 38 species representing phylogenetic and ecological diversity of crown turtles. Three Late Triassic shelled stem (Testudindata) are included to establish plesiomorphic morphology. Our work 3D models, establishing a publicly available digital database. Previously defined terms anatomical sides (e.g., dorsal, ventral) often not aligned with respective body other animals sprawling gait. We propose alternative directional simplify communication: radial ulnar (the articulating radius/ulna), capitular side bearing humeral head), intertubercular (opposite surface). Turtle humeri show low morphological exceptions concentrated locomotory specialists. 15 discrete characters summarize osteological future studies. Disparity analyses comparing non-shelled indicate that presence shell constrains variation. Flippered aquatic released from this constraint significantly increase overall disparity. Ontogenetic changes related increased ossification pronunciation proximal processes, distal articulation areas, closure ectepicondylar groove foramen. Some retain juvenile features into adulthood provide evidence paedomorphic evolution. review morphology throughout evolution its group.

Язык: Английский

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Spatial phylogenetics

Journal of Biogeography, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 50(8), С. 1454 - 1463

Опубликована: Апрель 5, 2023

Abstract The metric called phylogenetic diversity (PD) has been employed over the last 30 years to add an evolutionary dimension exploration of biodiversity. However, application PD was until recently limited by both technology and methodology. Newly available distributional data from global museum databasing efforts, rapidly increasing coverage DNA sequence improvements computer hardware software have enabled a new ‘big data’ approach PD‐based metrics randomization‐based hypothesis tests ‘spatial phylogenetics’. It can be defined most simply as turning phylogeny into GIS layer, which then used with other layers understand drivers phylodiversity patterns for conservation prioritization. Alpha beta measured using different ways representing branch lengths on given topology (called ‘facets’), each yielding different, interesting perspective that are best viewed in combination. Challenges posed need addressed through careful cleaning gathering further targeted manner. Spatial phylogenetics is only its infancy, showing much promise but many elements awaiting expansion address questions.

Язык: Английский

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Divergent vertebral formulae shape the evolution of axial complexity in mammals

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 7(3), С. 367 - 381

Опубликована: Март 6, 2023

Abstract Complexity, defined as the number of parts and their degree differentiation, is a poorly explored aspect macroevolutionary dynamics. The maximum anatomical complexity organisms has undoubtedly increased through evolutionary time. However, it unclear whether this increase purely diffusive process or at least partly driven, occurring in parallel most many lineages with increases minima well means. Highly differentiated serially repeated structures, such vertebrae, are useful systems which to investigate these patterns. We focus on serial differentiation vertebral column 1,136 extant mammal species, using two indices that quantify numerical richness proportional distribution vertebrae across presacral regions third expressing ratio between thoracic lumbar vertebrae. address three questions. First, we ask values major groups similar clades have specific signatures associated ecology. Second, changes throughout phylogeny biased towards there evidence driven trends. Third, shifts depart from uniform Brownian motion model. Vertebral counts, but not indices, differ significantly exhibit greater within-group variation than recognized hitherto. find strong trend increasing complexity, where higher propagate further descendant lineages. Several inferred coincided ecological environmental shifts. support for multiple-rate models evolution all metrics, suggesting occurred stepwise shifts, widespread episodes recent rapid divergence. Different subclades evolve more complex columns different configurations probably under selective pressures constraints, convergence same formulae. Further work should therefore relevance differences detailed understanding historical

Язык: Английский

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The diet of early birds based on modern and fossil evidence and a new framework for its reconstruction

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 96(5), С. 2058 - 2112

Опубликована: Июль 8, 2021

Birds are some of the most diverse organisms on Earth, with species inhabiting a wide variety niches across every major biome. As such, birds vital to our understanding modern ecosystems. Unfortunately, evolutionary history ecosystems is hampered by knowledge gaps in origin bird diversity and ecosystem ecology. A crucial part addressing these shortcomings improving earliest birds, non-avian avialans (i.e. non-crown birds), particularly their diet. The diet has been matter debate, large because ambiguous qualitative approaches that have used reconstruct it. Here we review methods for determining fossil avians crown birds) as well theropods, comment usefulness when applied avialans. We use this propose set comparable, quantitative ascertain basis provide consensus what currently know about While no single approach can precisely predict each exclude diets narrow dietary possibilities. recommend combining (i) dental microwear, (ii) landmark-based muscular reconstruction, (iii) stable isotope geochemistry, (iv) body mass estimations, (v) traditional and/or geometric morphometric analysis, (vi) lever modelling, (vii) finite element analysis accurately. Our provides specific methodologies implement discusses complications future researchers should keep mind. note current forms assessment mesowear, skull morphometrics, certain systems yet be proven effective at discerning On report state avialan which remains very incomplete. ancestral condition unclear due scarce data contradictory evidence Archaeopteryx. Among early pygostylians, Confuciusornis mechanical advantage pointing herbivory, whilst Sapeornis only indicating granivory, agreeing fossilised ingested material known taxon. enantiornithine ornithothoracine Shenqiornis pedal carnivory. In hongshanornithid ornithuromorph Hongshanornis indicates but agrees gastrolith ingestion Mechanical fish support carnivory songlingornithid Yanornis. Due sparsity robust assignments, clear trends evolution emerged. Dietary seems increase through time, preservational bias associated predominance from Early Cretaceous Jehol Lagerstätte. With new framework synthesis diet, expect become much clearer coming years, especially fossils other locations climates found. This will allow deeper more role played Mesozoic how developed into pivotal

Язык: Английский

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The patterns and modes of the evolution of disparity in Mesozoic birds

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 288(1944), С. 20203105 - 20203105

Опубликована: Фев. 3, 2021

The origin of birds from non-avian theropod dinosaurs is one the greatest transitions in evolution. Shortly after diverging other theropods Late Jurassic, Mesozoic diversified into two major clades—the Enantiornithes and Ornithuromorpha—acquiring many features previously considered unique to crown group along way. Here, we present a comparative phylogenetic study patterns modes bird skeletal morphology limb proportions. Our results show that avian groups are distinctive discrete character space, but constrained morphospace defined by Enantiornithines, despite being most speciose birds, much less morphologically disparate than their sister clade, Ornithuromorpha—the clade gave rise living showing disparity diversity were decoupled history. This relatively low suggests diversification enantiornithines was characterized exhausting fine morphologies, whereas ornithuromorphs continuously explored broader array morphologies ecological opportunities. We suggest this clade-specific evolutionary versatility contributed sole survival end-Cretaceous mass extinction.

Язык: Английский

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Why should we compare morphological and molecular disparity?

Methods in Ecology and Evolution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(9), С. 2390 - 2410

Опубликована: Июль 24, 2023

Abstract Indices of morphological disparity seek to summarise the highly multivariate variation across groups species within clades, time bins or other groups. Morphological can be quantified using geometric morphometric, outline surface‐based methods. These are most effective when differences relatively modest and there numerous ubiquitous landmarks phase aligned features shape variation. The disparate samples, such as those classes phyla, typically necessitate use discrete characters. Unfortunately, characters often compiled subjectively in a manner reflecting level taxonomic focus intensity taxon sampling. Sampling is variable single data set, especially repurposed amalgamated cladistic matrices. Here, we propose indices molecular analogous disparity. Despite shortcomings discussed here, sequence obtained more objective, automated scalable than data. Comparisons subclades 16 large sets suggest that less susceptible sampling biases Moreover, distance matrices inferred from individual genes tend correlate strongly with each distances all concatenated genes. By contrast, not significantly correlated subclades, comparisons for help give fuller picture their evolution. For example, mammals, Afrotheria have conspicuously high but disparity, suggesting unusually plasticity. Even strikingly, rodents over five times Artiodactyla, despite having only half contrasts differential operation geometric, biomechanical, ontogenetic environmental constraints on form. Given increasing abundance total evidence datasets literature widespread sometimes uncritical repurposing matrices, comparison useful tool understand subclade evolution fully.

Язык: Английский

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Angiosperm flowers reached their highest morphological diversity early in their evolutionary history

New Phytologist, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 241(3), С. 1348 - 1360

Опубликована: Ноя. 29, 2023

Summary Flowers are the complex and highly diverse reproductive structures of angiosperms. Because their role in sexual reproduction, evolution flowers is tightly linked to angiosperm speciation diversification. Accordingly, quantification floral morphological diversity (disparity) among subgroups through time may give important insights into evolutionary history angiosperms as a whole. Based on comprehensive dataset focusing 30 characters describing structure across angiosperms, we used 1201 extant 121 fossil measure disparity explore patterns lineages. We found that reached highest Early Cretaceous. However, decreasing toward present likely has not precluded innovation other traits at levels, which played key outstanding species richness. Angiosperms occupy specific regions theoretical morphospace, indicating only portion possible trait combinations observed nature. The ANA grade, magnoliids, early‐eudicot grade large areas morphospace (higher disparity), whereas nested groups narrower (lower disparity).

Язык: Английский

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Heterogeneous selectivity and morphological evolution of marine clades during the Permian–Triassic mass extinction

Nature Ecology & Evolution, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 8(7), С. 1248 - 1258

Опубликована: Июнь 11, 2024

Morphological disparity and taxonomic diversity are distinct measures of biodiversity, typically expected to evolve synergistically. However, evidence from mass extinctions indicates that they can be decoupled, while lead a drastic loss diversity, their impact on remains unclear. Here we evaluate the dynamics morphological extinction selectivity across Permian–Triassic extinction. We developed an automated approach, termed DeepMorph, for extraction features fossil images using deep learning model applied it high-resolution temporal dataset encompassing 599 genera six marine clades. Ammonoids, brachiopods ostracods experienced selective complex ornamented forms, bivalves, gastropods conodonts did not experience morphologically extinctions. The presence intensity probably reflect variations in environmental tolerance thresholds among different In clades affected by extinctions, promoted disparity. Conversely, under non-selective magnitude had negligible Our results highlight heterogeneous impacts clades, offering new insights into how reshape biodiversity ecosystem structure. Using method extracts fossils, authors explore over time series 4 million years, spanning event.

Язык: Английский

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