Inferring Developmental Modularity from Morphological Integration: Analysis of Individual Variation and Asymmetry in Bumblebee Wings

2001 ◽  
Vol 157 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Peter Klingenberg ◽  
Alexander V. Badyaev ◽  
Susanna M. Sowry ◽  
Nathan J. Beckwith
Keyword(s):  
Individual Variation ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
Integration Analysis

scholarly journals Geometric morphometrics of nested symmetries: Hierarchical INTER- AND INTRA-INDIVIDUAL VARIATION IN BIOLOGICAL SHAPES

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoland Savriama ◽  
Sylvain Gerber
Keyword(s):  
Individual Variation ◽  
Biological Object ◽  
Sea Urchins ◽  
Rotational Symmetry ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Bilateral Symmetry ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
Full Symmetry ◽  
Masticatory Apparatus ◽  
Complex Organ

AbstractSymmetry is a pervasive feature of organismal shape and the focus of a large body of research in Biology. Here, we consider complex patterns of symmetry where a phenotype exhibits a hierarchically structured combination of symmetries. We extend the Procrustes ANOVA for the analysis of nested symmetries and the decomposition of the overall morphological variation into components of symmetry (among-individual variation) and asymmetry (directional and fluctuating asymmetry). We illustrate its use with the Aristotle’s lantern, the masticatory apparatus of ‘regular’ sea urchins, a complex organ displaying bilateral symmetry nested within five-fold rotational symmetry. Our results highlight the importance of characterising the full symmetry of a structure with nested symmetries. Higher order rotational symmetry appears strongly constrained and developmentally stable compared to lower level bilateral symmetry. This contrast between higher and lower levels of asymmetry is discussed in relation to the spatial pattern of the lantern morphogenesis. This extended framework is applicable to any biological object exhibiting nested symmetries, regardless of their type (e.g., bilateral, rotational, translational). Such cases are extremely widespread in animals and plants, from arthropod segmentation to angiosperm inflorescence and corolla shape. The method therefore widens the research scope on developmental instability, canalization, developmental modularity and morphological integration.

scholarly journals Modularity and cranial integration across ontogenetic stages in Martino’s vole, Dinaromys bogdanovi

2016 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 275-289 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Klenovšek ◽  
Vida Jojić
Keyword(s):  
Individual Variation ◽  
Covariance Structure ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
Postnatal Ontogeny ◽  
Shape Variation ◽  
Western Balkans ◽  
Ontogenetic Changes ◽  
Southeastern Part ◽  
Cranial Development ◽  
Ontogenetic Stages

We explored modularity and morphological integration of the ventral cranium during postnatal ontogeny in Martino’s vole (Dinaromys bogdanovi). Two closely related phylogenetic groups, originating from the Central and Southeastern part of the species range in the western Balkans, were considered. As expected, both phylogroups had similar patterns of ontogenetic changes in cranial size and shape variation, modularity and integration. At the level of within individual variation, the hypothesis that the viscerocranial and neurocranial regions are separate modules was rejected, indicating that the hypothesized modules are not developmental, but rather functional. At the level of among individual variation, the viscerocranium and the neurocranium could not be recognized as separate modules at the juvenile stage. The strength of association between the hypothesized modules becomes lower with age which finally results in a clear 2-module organization of the ventral cranium at the adult stage. On the other hand, patterns of morphological integration for the cranium as a whole, the viscerocranium and the neurocranium stay consistent across ontogenetic stages. The developmental mechanism producing integration of the cranium as a whole, as well as integration of the neurocranium, varies throughout postnatal ontogeny. In contrast, we detected the ontogenetic stability of the mechanism responsible for covariation of viscerocranial traits which could provide ongoing flexibility of the viscerocranial covariance structure for high functional demands during lifetime. Findings from our study most likely support the idea of the ‘palimpsest-like’ model of covariance structure. Moreover, similarity or dissimilarity in the patterns of within and among individual variation in different sets of analyzed traits and comparisons across ontogenetic stages demonstrate how studies on small mammals other than mice can give new insights into postnatal cranial development.

scholarly journals Modularity and intra-floral integration in metameric organisms: plants are more than the sum of their parts

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1649) ◽  
pp. 20130253 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela K. Diggle
Keyword(s):  
Individual Variation ◽  
Morphological Integration ◽  
Phenotypic Integration ◽  
Pollinator Attraction ◽  
Functional Feature ◽  
Form And Function ◽  
Multiple Organs ◽  
Independent Functions ◽  
Pollen Receipt ◽  
Architectural Effects

Within-individual variation in virtually every conceivable morphological and functional feature of reiterated structures is a pervasive feature of plant phenotypes. In particular, architectural effects, regular, repeatable patterns of intra-individual variation in form and function that are associated with position are nearly ubiquitous. Yet, flowers also are predicted to be highly integrated. For animal-pollinated plants, the coordination of multiple organs within each flower is required to achieve the complex functions of pollinator attraction and orientation, pollen donation and pollen receipt. To the extent that pollinators may select for multiple independent functions, phenotypic integration within flowers may also be modular. That is, subsets of floral structures may be integrated but vary independently of other subsets of structures that are themselves integrated. How can phenotypic integration and modularity be understood within the context of architectural effects? This essay reviews recent research on patterns of floral integration and modularity and explores the potential for spatial and temporal changes in the selective environment of individual flowers to result in positional variation in patterns of morphological integration.

The challenge of accounting for individual differences in folk-economic beliefs

2018 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin C. Ruisch ◽  
Rajen A. Anderson ◽  
David A. Pizarro
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Political Ideologies ◽  
Economic Beliefs ◽  
Existing Data

AbstractWe argue that existing data on folk-economic beliefs (FEBs) present challenges to Boyer & Petersen's model. Specifically, the widespread individual variation in endorsement of FEBs casts doubt on the claim that humans are evolutionarily predisposed towards particular economic beliefs. Additionally, the authors' model cannot account for the systematic covariance between certain FEBs, such as those observed in distinct political ideologies.

Inter-individual variation shapes the human microbiome

2019 ◽  
Vol 42 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily F. Wissel ◽  
Leigh K. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Individual Differences ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Human Microbiome ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
Microbiota Composition ◽  
Target Article ◽  
Microbiome Research

Abstract The target article suggests inter-individual variability is a weakness of microbiota-gut-brain (MGB) research, but we discuss why it is actually a strength. We comment on how accounting for individual differences can help researchers systematically understand the observed variance in microbiota composition, interpret null findings, and potentially improve the efficacy of therapeutic treatments in future clinical microbiome research.

Cell morphology, volume, and surface area determinations from multilevel contouring within HVEM micrographs of serial sections and whole-cell mounts

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 588-589
Author(s):  
M. Marko ◽  
A. Leith ◽  
D. Parsons
Keyword(s):  
Surface Area ◽  
Electron Micrographs ◽  
Cell Morphology ◽  
Individual Variation ◽  
Serial Section ◽  
Stereo Pair ◽  
Complex Structures ◽  
Serial Sections ◽  
Surface Areas ◽  
Computer Based

The use of serial sections and computer-based 3-D reconstruction techniques affords an opportunity not only to visualize the shape and distribution of the structures being studied, but also to determine their volumes and surface areas. Up until now, this has been done using serial ultrathin sections.The serial-section approach differs from the stereo logical methods of Weibel in that it is based on the Information from a set of single, complete cells (or organelles) rather than on a random 2-dimensional sampling of a population of cells. Because of this, it can more easily provide absolute values of volume and surface area, especially for highly-complex structures. It also allows study of individual variation among the cells, and study of structures which occur only infrequently.We have developed a system for 3-D reconstruction of objects from stereo-pair electron micrographs of thick specimens.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document