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

• DOI: 10.1111/evo.13495
• Publication Date: 2018-05-26T21:30:55Z
• Authors: Fabio Andrade Mac...; Thiago Macek Gonç...; Gabriel Marroig
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 01 natural sciences

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