Early-life environment shapes claw bilateral asymmetry in the European lobster (Homarus gammarus).

ABSTRACT: Developmental plasticity refers to an organism's ability to adjust its development in response to changing environmental conditions, leading to changes in behaviour, physiology, or morphology. This adaptability is crucial for survival and helps organisms to cope with environmental challenges throughout their lives. Understanding the mechanisms underlying developmental plasticity, particularly how environmental and ontogenetic factors shape functional traits, is fundamental for both evolutionary biology and conservation efforts. In this study we investigated the effects of early-life environmental conditions on the development of claw asymmetry in juvenile European lobsters (Homarus gammarus, N=244), a functional trait essential for survival and ecological success. Juveniles were randomly d

SUBMITTER: Latini L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11957455 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature