Impacts of genetic correlation on the independent evolution of body mass and skeletal size in mammals.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Mammals show a predictable scaling relationship between limb bone size and body mass. This relationship has a genetic basis which likely evolved via natural selection, but it is unclear how much the genetic correlation between these traits in turn impacts their capacity to evolve independently. We selectively bred laboratory mice for increases in tibia length independent of body mass, to test the hypothesis that a genetic correlation with body mass constrains evolutionary change in tibia length.

Results

Over 14 generations, we produced mean tibia length increases of 9-13%, while mean body mass was unchanged, in selectively bred mice and random-bred controls. Using evolutionary scenarios with different selection and quantitative genetic parameters, we also found th

SUBMITTER: Marchini M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4269856 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature