1
|
Friedman NR, Remeš V. Dorsal and Ventral Plumage Coloration Evolve as Distinct Modules with Different Environmental Correlations. Am Nat 2024; 203:528-534. [PMID: 38489773 DOI: 10.1086/728766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
AbstractMany animals exhibit contrast between their dorsal coloration and their ventral coloration. If selection acts differently on dorsal versus ventral coloration, ancestral covariance between these traits should break down, eventually leading to independent modules of trait evolution. Here, we compare the evolution of feather color across body regions for a clade of Australasian songbirds (Meliphagoidea). We find evidence for three modules of covarying color regions. Among these modules, ventral feathers evolve with high lability, evolving at three times the rate of dorsal plumage and 20 times the rate of flight feathers. While both dorsal plumage and ventral plumage are darker in areas with more precipitation and vegetation, we find that dorsal plumage is twice as similar to colors in satellite photos of background substrates. Overall, differential selection on ventral and dorsal colors likely maintains these as distinct modules over evolutionary timescales-a novel explanation for dorsoventral contrast in pigmentation.
Collapse
|
2
|
Bergmann PJ, Tonelli-Sippel I. Many-to-many mapping: A simulation study of how the number of traits and tasks affect the evolution of form and function. J Theor Biol 2024; 581:111744. [PMID: 38281541 DOI: 10.1016/j.jtbi.2024.111744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Many-to-many mapping of form-to-function posits that multiple morphological and physiological traits affect the performance of multiple tasks in an organism, and that redundancy and multitasking occur simultaneously to shape the evolution of an organism's phenotype. Many-to-many mapping is expected to be ubiquitous in nature, yet little is known about how it influences the evolution of organismal phenotype. The F-matrix is a powerful tool to study these issues because it describes how multiple traits affect multiple tasks. We undertook a simulation study using the F-matrix to test how the number of traits and the number of tasks affect trait integration and evolvability, as well as the relationships among tasks. We found that as the number of traits and/or tasks increases, the relationships between the tasks and the integration between the traits become weaker, and that the evolvability of the traits increases, all resulting in a system that is freer to evolve. We also found that as the number of traits increases, performance tradeoffs tend to become weaker, but only to a point. Our work shows that it is important to consider not only multiple traits, but also the multitude of tasks that those traits carry out when studying form-function relationships. We suggest that evolution of these relationships follows functional lines of least resistance, which are less defined in more complex systems, resulting in a mechanism for diversification.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Philip J Bergmann
- Department of Biology, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01602, United States.
| | - Isabel Tonelli-Sippel
- Department of Biology, Clark University, 950 Main Street, Worcester, MA 01602, United States
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Klunk CL, Argenta MA, Casadei‐Ferreira A, Pie MR. Mechanical demands of bite in plane head shapes of ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) workers. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10162. [PMID: 37293120 PMCID: PMC10244895 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Food processing can exert significant evolutionary pressures on the morphological evolution of animal appendages. The ant genus Pheidole displays a remarkable degree of morphological differentiation and task specialization among its workers. Notably, there is considerable variation in head shape within worker subcastes of Pheidole, which could affect the stress patterns generated by bite-related muscle contraction. In this study, we use finite element analysis (FEA) to investigate the effect of the variation in head plane shape in stress patterns, while exploring the morphospace of Pheidole worker head shapes. We hypothesize that the plane head shapes of majors are optimized for dealing with stronger bites. Furthermore, we expect that plane head shapes at the edges of each morphospace would exhibit mechanical limitations that prevent further expansion of the occupied morphospace. We vectorized five head shapes for each Pheidole worker type located at the center and edges of the corresponding morphospaces. We conducted linear static FEA to analyze the stresses generated by mandibular closing muscle contraction. Our findings indicate that plane head shapes of majors exhibit signs of optimization to deal with stronger bites. Stresses are distinctly directed along the lateral margins of the head, following the direction of muscle contraction, whereas the stresses on the plane head shapes of minors tend to concentrate around the mandibular articulations. However, the comparatively higher stress levels observed on majors' plane head shapes suggest a demand for cuticular reinforcement, like increased cuticle thickness or sculpturing pattern. Our results align with the expectations regarding the main colony tasks performed by each worker subcaste, and we find evidence of biomechanical limitations on extreme plane head shapes for majors and minors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L. Klunk
- Graduate Program in Ecology and ConservationUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
| | - Marco A. Argenta
- Department of Civil ConstructionUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
| | - Alexandre Casadei‐Ferreira
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Department of BiologyEdge Hill UniversityOrmskirkUK
- Department of ZoologyUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Vujić VD, Ilić BS, Lučić LR, Jovanović ZS, Milovanović JZ, Dudić BD, Stojanović DZ. Presence of morphological integration and modularity of the forcipular apparatus in Lithobius melanops (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Lithobiidae). ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT 2022; 71:101203. [PMID: 36088838 DOI: 10.1016/j.asd.2022.101203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The presence of morphological integration and modularity of the forcipular apparatus, despite its evolutionary significance, has not been analyzed in centipedes. This morphological structure has a crucial role in feeding and defense, thanks to its poisonous part (forcipules), which is important for catching the prey. The aims of our study were: i) to test the hypothesis of modularity of the forcipular apparatus in centipede Lithobius melanops; and ii) to investigate the influence of allometry on overall morphological integration in the aforementioned species using a geometric morphometric approach. The presence of fluctuating asymmetry was obtained by Procrustes ANOVA. Allometry was significant only for the symmetric component of the forcipular apparatus. The modularity hypothesis was not accepted, because the covariance coefficients for symmetric and asymmetric components were lower than 89.5% and 72.1% (respectively) of other RV coefficients obtained by a random contiguous partition of the forcipular apparatus. Results of the present study indicate that allometry does increase the level of morphological integration in the forcipular apparatus. According to our results, the forcipular coxosternite and forcipules could not be considered as separate modules; namely, they probably share similar developmental pathways and function in different forms of behavior and survival in L. melanops.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vukica D Vujić
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Zoology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Bojan S Ilić
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Zoology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Luka R Lučić
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Zoology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Zvezdana S Jovanović
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Zoology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Jelena Z Milovanović
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Zoology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Boris D Dudić
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Zoology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Dalibor Z Stojanović
- University of Belgrade, Institute of Zoology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Casadei‐Ferreira A, Feitosa RM, Pie MR. Size and shape in the evolution of the worker head in
Pheidole
ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Casadei‐Ferreira
- Departamento de Zoologia Setor de Ciências Biológicas Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Paraná Brazil
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University Onna Okinawa Japan
| | - R. M. Feitosa
- Departamento de Zoologia Setor de Ciências Biológicas Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Paraná Brazil
| | - M. R. Pie
- Departamento de Zoologia Setor de Ciências Biológicas Centro Politécnico Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Paraná Brazil
- Biology Department Edge Hill University Ormskirk Lancashire UK
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vujić V, Ilić B, Lučić L, Tomić V, Jovanović Z, Pavković-Lučić S, Makarov S. Morphological integration of the head capsule in the millipede Megaphyllum unilineatum (C. L. Koch, 1838) (Diplopoda: Julida): can different modules be recognized? ZOOLOGY 2021; 149:125970. [PMID: 34628210 DOI: 10.1016/j.zool.2021.125970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Covariation of multiple morphological traits and modularity have been widely studied in the field of evolutionary developmental biology. Subunits of a morphological structure can evolve separately from each other in a modular fashion. The aims of our study therefore were: i) to test the hypothesis of modularity in the dorsal part of the head capsule and the gnathochilarium separately during late postembryogenesis in the julidan millipede Megaphyllum unilineatum (C. L. Koch, 1838) using geometric morphometrics; and ii) to investigate the influence of allometry on overall morphological integration in the dorsal part of the head capsule and the gnathochilarium in the mentioned species. Individuals from different ontogenetic stadia (stadium VI - stadium XI) were included in the analyses. Significant influence of fluctuating asymmetry on the dorsal part of the head capsule shape was detected by Procrustes ANOVA. Regressions were significant for the symmetric component of both analysed morphological traits, while non-significant regression was detected for the asymmetric component of the head capsule's dorsal part. Hypotheses of modularity for the dorsal part of the head capsule and the gnathochilarium are rejected because our results indicate that a small proportion of alternate partitions has higher covariation between subsets of structure than between the hypothesized modules. Contrary to our expectations, results of the present study show that allometry does not increase the level of morphological integration in the dorsal part of the head capsule and the gnathochilarium in M. unilineatum. Based on the obtained results, we conclude that the dorsal part of the head capsule and the gnathochilarium are not composed of independent modules and that in the case of the capsule's dorsal part, developmental processes affect morphological integration in different ways at different levels of shape variation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vukica Vujić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Bojan Ilić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Luka Lučić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Vladimir Tomić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Zvezdana Jovanović
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Sofija Pavković-Lučić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Slobodan Makarov
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Biology, Studentski Trg 16, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Zhang W, Wu Z, Wang Z, Wang Z, Li C, Rajabi H, Wu J. Double-rowed teeth: design specialization of the H. venatorants for enhanced tribological stability. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2021; 16:055003. [PMID: 34233306 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3190/ac124a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The antH. venatorcan engage in various labors using a pair of elongated mandibles with the ability to rotate about two orthogonal axes. This biaxial rotation enables the ant to gently handle their small, fragile eggs with enhanced contact area and smaller work space. However, how this biaxial rotation influences the ant's predation ability and how the ant responds to this influence remain elusive. We quantitatively investigate the tribological performance of the ant's mandibles during interactions with prey by taking morphology and kinematics into consideration. We find that each ant mandible features unique, double-rows of dorsal teeth (DT) and ventral teeth (VT), which are employed to firmly clamp prey over a wide range of sizes by biting their different body parts, demonstrating the ant's predation ability. We hypothesize the mechanism underlying such an ability may rely on the two, non-parallel rows of teeth which potentially eliminate effects of biaxial rotation. To test this hypothesis, we systematically change the distribution and orientation of teeth on bio-inspired robotic mandibles and investigate the mandible tribological performance of different teeth configurations. We find that the friction coefficient varies prominently between the DT and VT resulting from biaxial rotation, with the variations showing an inverse pattern. This explains the observed phenomenon that mandibles equipped with DT and VT provide the most stable friction coefficient when clamping objects of different sizes using different mandible regions. The specialized distribution of teeth facilitates enhanced tribological stability in capturing prey, and demonstrates an intrinsic link between the form, motion, and function in the insect appendages. Our research sheds lights on the current understanding of the predation behaviors of ants, and can inspire future design of multifunctional robotic grippers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhigang Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixin Wang
- School of Engineering and Technology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Beijing Engineering Research Center of Radiographic Techniques and Equipment, Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, People's Republic of China
- Jinan Laboratory of Applied Nuclear Science, Jinan, 250031, People's Republic of China
| | - Chuchu Li
- Functional Morphology & Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
| | - Hamed Rajabi
- Functional Morphology & Biomechanics, Zoological Institute, Kiel University, Am Botanischen Garten 9, 24118 Kiel, Germany
- Division of Mechanical Engineering and Design, School of Engineering, London South Bank University, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jianing Wu
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510006, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Klunk CL, Argenta MA, Casadei-Ferreira A, Economo EP, Pie MR. Mandibular morphology, task specialization and bite mechanics in Pheidole ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). J R Soc Interface 2021; 18:20210318. [PMID: 34102082 PMCID: PMC8187013 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2021.0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants show remarkable ecological and evolutionary success due to their social life history and division of labour among colony members. In some lineages, the worker force became subdivided into morphologically distinct individuals (i.e. minor versus major workers), allowing for the differential performance of particular roles in the colony. However, the functional and ecological significance of these morphological differences are not well understood. Here, we applied finite element analysis (FEA) to explore the biomechanical differences between major and minor ant worker mandibles. Analyses were carried out on mandibles of two Pheidole species, a dimorphic ant genus. We tested whether major mandibles evolved to minimize stress when compared to minors using combinations of the apical tooth and masticatory margin bites under strike and pressure conditions. Majors performed better in pressure conditions yet, contrary to our expectations, minors performed better in strike bite scenarios. Moreover, we demonstrated that even small morphological differences in ant mandibles might lead to substantial differences in biomechanical responses to bite loading. These results also underscore the potential of FEA to uncover biomechanical consequences of morphological differences within and between ant workers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cristian L. Klunk
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
| | - Marco A. Argenta
- Department of Civil Construction, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
| | - Alexandre Casadei-Ferreira
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - Evan P. Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Onna, Japan
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Graduate Program in Ecology and Conservation, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
- Department of Zoology, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba-PR, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Casadei‐Ferreira A, Friedman NR, Economo EP, Pie MR, Feitosa RM. Head and mandible shapes are highly integrated yet represent two distinct modules within and among worker subcastes of the ant genus Pheidole. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:6104-6118. [PMID: 34141206 PMCID: PMC8207162 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Ants use their mandibles for a wide variety of tasks related to substrate manipulation, brood transport, food processing, and colony defense. Due to constraints involved in colony upkeep, ants evolved a remarkable diversity of mandibular forms, often related to specific roles such as specialized hunting and seed milling. Considering these varied functional demands, we focused on understanding how the mandible and head shape vary within and between Pheidole subcastes. Using x-ray microtomography and 3D geometric morphometrics, we tested whether these structures are integrated and modular, and how ecological predictors influenced these features. Our results showed that mandible and head shape of majors and minor workers tend to vary from robust to slender, with some more complex changes related to the mandibular base. Additionally, we found that head and mandible shapes are characterized by a high degree of integration, but with little correlation with feeding and nesting habits. Our results suggest that a combination of structural (allometric) constraints and the behavioral flexibility conferred by subcaste dimorphism might largely buffer selective pressures that would otherwise lead to a fine-tuning between ecological conditions and morphological adaptation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre Casadei‐Ferreira
- Departamento de ZoologiaUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Nicholas R. Friedman
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Evan P. Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity UnitOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOnnaJapan
| | - Marcio R. Pie
- Departamento de ZoologiaUniversidade Federal do ParanáCuritibaBrazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
10
|
Darwell CT, Fischer G, Sarnat EM, Friedman NR, Liu C, Baiao G, Mikheyev AS, Economo EP. Genomic and phenomic analysis of island ant community assembly. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:1611-1627. [PMID: 31820838 DOI: 10.1111/mec.15326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Island biodiversity has long fascinated biologists as it typically presents tractable systems for unpicking the eco-evolutionary processes driving community assembly. In general, two recurring themes are of central theoretical interest. First, immigration, diversification, and extinction typically depend on island geographical properties (e.g., area, isolation, and age). Second, predictable ecological and evolutionary trajectories readily occur after colonization, such as the evolution of adaptive trait syndromes, trends toward specialization, adaptive radiation, and eventual ecological decline. Hypotheses such as the taxon cycle draw on several of these themes to posit particular constraints on colonization and subsequent eco-evolutionary dynamics. However, it has been challenging to examine these integrated dynamics with traditional methods. Here, we combine phylogenomics, population genomics and phenomics, to unravel community assembly dynamics among Pheidole (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) ants in the isolated Fijian archipelago. We uphold basic island biogeographic predictions that isolated islands accumulate diversity primarily through in situ evolution rather than dispersal, and population genomic support for taxon cycle predictions that endemic species have decreased dispersal ability and demography relative to regionally widespread taxa. However, rather than trending toward island syndromes, ecomorphological diversification in Fiji was intense, filling much of the genus-level global morphospace. Furthermore, while most endemic species exhibit demographic decline and reduced dispersal, we show that the archipelago is not an evolutionary dead-end. Rather, several endemic species show signatures of population and range expansion, including a successful colonization to the Cook islands. These results shed light on the processes shaping island biotas and refine our understanding of island biogeographic theory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Clive T Darwell
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Georg Fischer
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Eli M Sarnat
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Nicholas R Friedman
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Cong Liu
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Guilherme Baiao
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| | - Alexander S Mikheyev
- Ecology and Evolution Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan.,Research School of Biology, Evolutionary Genomics Research Group, Australian National University, Acton, ACT, Australia
| | - Evan P Economo
- Biodiversity and Biocomplexity Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Okinawa, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Farina SC, Kane EA, Hernandez LP. Multifunctional Structures and Multistructural Functions: Integration in the Evolution of Biomechanical Systems. Integr Comp Biol 2019; 59:338-345. [PMID: 31168594 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icz095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Integration is an essential feature of complex biomechanical systems, with coordination and covariation occurring among and within structural components at time scales that vary from microseconds to deep evolutionary time. Integration has been suggested to both promote and constrain morphological evolution, and the effects of integration on the evolution of structure likely vary by system, clade, historical contingency, and time scale. In this introduction to the 2019 symposium "Multifunctional Structures and Multistructural Functions," we discuss the role of integration among structures in the context of functional integration and multifunctionality. We highlight articles from this issue of Integrative and Comparative Biology that explore integration within and among kinematics, sensory and motor systems, physiological systems, developmental processes, morphometric dimensions, and biomechanical functions. From these myriad examples it is clear that integration can exist at multiple levels of organization that can interact with adjacent levels to result in complex patterns of structural and functional phenotypes. We conclude with a synthesis of major themes and potential future directions, particularly with respect to using multifunctionality, itself, as a trait in evolutionary analyses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S C Farina
- Department of Biology, Howard University, 415 College Street NW, Washington, DC 20059, USA
| | - E A Kane
- Department of Biology, Georgia Southern University, 1332 Southern Drive, Statesboro, GA 30458, USA
| | - L P Hernandez
- Department of Biological Sciences, The George Washington University, 800 22nd Street NW, Suite 6000, Washington, DC 20052, USA
| |
Collapse
|