Convergent and parallel evolution in life habit of the scallops (Bivalvia: Pectinidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

We employed a phylogenetic framework to identify patterns of life habit evolution in the marine bivalve family Pectinidae. Specifically, we examined the number of independent origins of each life habit and distinguished between convergent and parallel trajectories of life habit evolution using ancestral state estimation. We also investigated whether ancestral character states influence the frequency or type of evolutionary trajectories.

Results

We determined that temporary attachment to substrata by byssal threads is the most likely ancestral condition for the Pectinidae, with subsequent transitions to the five remaining habit types. Nearly all transitions between life habit classes were repeated in our phylogeny and the majority of these transitions were the resu

SUBMITTER: Alejandrino A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3129317 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature