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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Evolution of morphological integration in the skull of Carnivora (Mammalia): Changes in Canidae lead to increased evolutionary potential of facial traits

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Author(s):
Andrade Machado, Fabio [1, 2] ; Goncalves Zahn, Thiago Macek [3] ; Marroig, Gabriel [3]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Consejo Nacl Invest Cient & Tecn, Buenos Aires, DF - Argentina
[2] Museo Argentino Ciencias Nat Bernardino Rivadavia, Div Mastozool, Av Angel Gallardo 470, C1405DJR, Buenos Aires, DF - Argentina
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Genet & Biol Evolut, BR-05508090 Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: Evolution; v. 72, n. 7, p. 1399-1419, JUL 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 10
Abstract

Morphological integration refers to the fact that different phenotypic traits of organisms are not fully independent from each other, and tend to covary to different degrees. The covariation among traits is thought to reflect properties of the species' genetic architecture and thus can have an impact on evolutionary responses. Furthermore, if morphological integration changes along the history of a group, inferences of past selection regimes might be problematic. Here, we evaluated the stability and evolution of the morphological integration of skull traits in Carnivora by using evolutionary simulations and phylogenetic comparative methods. Our results show that carnivoran species are able to respond to natural selection in a very similar way. Our comparative analyses show that the phylogenetic signal for pattern of integration is lower than that observed for morphology (trait averages), and that integration was stable throughout the evolution of the group. That notwithstanding, Canidae differed from other families by having higher integration, evolvability, flexibility, and allometric coefficients on the facial region. These changes might have allowed canids to rapidly adapt to different food sources, helping to explain not only the phenotypic diversification of the family, but also why humans were able to generate such a great diversity of dog breeds through artificial selection. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 14/12403-5 - Skull morphological integration and related evolutionary aspects in Feliformia (Carnivora)
Grantee:Thiago Macek Gonçalves Zahn
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Master's degree
FAPESP's process: 13/07299-1 - Skull morphological integration and evolution of cranial morphology in Feliformia (Carnivora; Mammalia)
Grantee:Thiago Macek Gonçalves Zahn
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
FAPESP's process: 13/22042-7 - Evolutionary restrictions in the skull of Caniforms (Carnivora)
Grantee:Fábio de Andrade Machado
Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 11/21674-4 - Evolutionary consequences of morphological integration in the skull and mandible of Caniformia (Carnivora; Mammalia)
Grantee:Fábio de Andrade Machado
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 11/14295-7 - Modularity and its evolutionary consequences
Grantee:Gabriel Henrique Marroig Zambonato
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants