Predation drives morphological convergence in theGambusia panucospecies group among lotic and lentic habitats

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 491-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. K. Moody ◽  
M. L. Lozano-Vilano
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Convergence

scholarly journals Morphological convergence as on-line lexical analogy

Language ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 96 (4) ◽  
pp. 735-770
Author(s):  
Péter Rácz ◽  
Clay Beckner ◽  
Jennifer B. Hay ◽  
Janet B. Pierrehumbert
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Convergence ◽  
On Line

scholarly journals Morphological convergence of shell shape in distantly related scallop species (Mollusca: Pectinidae)

2011 ◽  
Vol 163 (2) ◽  
pp. 571-584 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEANNE M. SERB ◽  
ALVIN ALEJANDRINO ◽  
ERIK OTÁROLA-CASTILLO ◽  
DEAN C. ADAMS
Keyword(s):  
Shell Shape ◽  
Morphological Convergence

scholarly journals Experimental evidence for friction-enhancing integumentary modifications of chameleons and associated functional and evolutionary implications

2014 ◽  
Vol 281 (1775) ◽  
pp. 20132334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eraqi R. Khannoon ◽  
Thomas Endlein ◽  
Anthony P. Russell ◽  
Kellar Autumn
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Frictional Coefficient ◽  
Force Transducer ◽  
Morphological Convergence ◽  
Functional Implications ◽  
Smooth Skin ◽  
Derivatives Of

The striking morphological convergence of hair-like integumentary derivatives of lizards and arthropods (spiders and insects) demonstrates the importance of such features for enhancing purchase on the locomotor substrate. These pilose structures are responsible for the unique tractive abilities of these groups of animals, enabling them to move with seeming ease on overhanging and inverted surfaces, and to traverse inclined smooth substrates. Three groups of lizards are well known for bearing adhesion-promoting setae on their digits: geckos, anoles and skinks. Similar features are also found on the ventral subdigital and distal caudal skin of chameleons. These have only recently been described in any detail, and structurally and functionally are much less well understood than are the setae of geckos and anoles. The seta-like structures of chameleons are not branched (a characteristic of many geckos), nor do they terminate in spatulate tips (which is characteristic of geckos, anoles and skinks). They are densely packed and have attenuated blunt, globose tips or broad, blade-like shafts that are flattened for much of their length. Using a force transducer, we tested the hypothesis that these structures enhance friction and demonstrate that the pilose skin has a greater frictional coefficient than does the smooth skin of these animals. Our results are consistent with friction being generated as a result of side contact of the integumentary filaments. We discuss the evolutionary and functional implications of these seta-like structures in comparison with those typical of other lizard groups and with the properties of seta-mimicking synthetic structures.

scholarly journals Morphological convergence in conifer-dwelling passerines

2004 ◽  
Vol 145 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fr�nzi Korner-Nievergelt ◽  
B. Leisler
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Convergence

scholarly journals The limits of convergence: the roles of phylogeny and dietary ecology in shaping non-avian amniote crania

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 202145
Author(s):  
Keegan M. Melstrom ◽  
Kenneth D. Angielczyk ◽  
Kathleen A. Ritterbush ◽  
Randall B. Irmis
Keyword(s):  
Functional Morphology ◽  
Feeding Ecology ◽  
Cranial Morphology ◽  
Skull Shape ◽  
Morphological Convergence ◽  
Morphometric Methods ◽  
Central Regions ◽  
Dietary Ecology ◽  
Amniote Phylogeny ◽  
Cranial Shape

Cranial morphology is remarkably varied in living amniotes and the diversity of shapes is thought to correspond with feeding ecology, a relationship repeatedly demonstrated at smaller phylogenetic scales, but one that remains untested across amniote phylogeny. Using a combination of morphometric methods, we investigate the links between phylogenetic relationships, diet and skull shape in an expansive dataset of extant toothed amniotes: mammals, lepidosaurs and crocodylians. We find that both phylogeny and dietary ecology have statistically significant effects on cranial shape. The three major clades largely partition morphospace with limited overlap. Dietary generalists often occupy clade-specific central regions of morphospace. Some parallel changes in cranial shape occur in clades with distinct evolutionary histories but similar diets. However, members of a given clade often present distinct cranial shape solutions for a given diet, and the vast majority of species retain the unique aspects of their ancestral skull plan, underscoring the limits of morphological convergence due to ecology in amniotes. These data demonstrate that certain cranial shapes may provide functional advantages suited to particular dietary ecologies, but accounting for both phylogenetic history and ecology can provide a more nuanced approach to inferring the ecology and functional morphology of cryptic or extinct amniotes.

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