Development and function explain the modular evolution of phalanges in gecko lizards.

ABSTRACT: Selective regimes favouring the evolution of functional specialization probably affect covariation among phenotypic traits. Phalanges of most tetrapods develop from a conserved module that constrains their relative proportions. In geckos, however, biomechanical specializations associated with adhesive toepads involve morphological variation in the autopodium and might reorganize such modular structures. We tested two hypotheses to explain the modular architecture of hand bones in geckos, one based on developmental interactions and another incorporating functional associations related to locomotion, and compared the empirical support for each hypothetical module between padded and padless lineages. We found strong evidence for developmental modules in most species, which probably reflects e

SUBMITTER: Rothier PS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8753168 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature