Natural selection and developmental constraints in the evolution of allometries.

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Science. 2005 Feb 4;307(5710):718-20. doi: 10.1126/science.1105409

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Natural selection and developmental constraints in the evolution of allometries. Stern Lab

Frankino WA, Zwaan BJ, Stern DL, Brakefield PM

Note: Research in this publication was not performed at Janelia.

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Abstract

In animals, scaling relationships between appendages and body size exhibit high interspecific variation but low intraspecific variation. This pattern could result from natural selection for specific allometries or from developmental constraints on patterns of differential growth. We performed artificial selection on the allometry between forewing area and body size in a butterfly to test for developmental constraints, and then used the resultant increased range of phenotypic variation to quantify natural selection on the scaling relationship. Our results show that the short-term evolution of allometries is not limited by developmental constraints. Instead, scaling relationships are shaped by strong natural selection.

PMID: 15692049 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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Natural selection and developmental constraints in the evolution of allometries.

Note: Research in this publication was not performed at Janelia.

Abstract

PMID: 15692049 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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