Trait independence primes convergent trait loss.

Abstract excerpt

The repeated, independent evolution of traits (convergent evolution) is often attributed to shared environmental selection pressures. However, developmental dependencies among traits can limit the phenotypic variation available to selection and bias evolutionary outcomes. Here, we determine how changes in developmentally correlated traits may impact convergent loss of the tympanic middle ear, a highly labile...

Topics

Share this publication in a Topic to start or enrich a Post.

• Share to Biological Evolution
• Share to Bufonidae
• Share to Ear, Middle