Constraint and diversification of developmental trajectories in cichlid facial morphologies.
Kara E PowderKayla MilchGarrett AsselinR Craig AlbertsonPublished in: EvoDevo (2015)
Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that development acts to both constrain and promote morphological diversity. They also illustrate the modular nature of the craniofacial skeleton and hence the ability of selection to act upon distinct anatomical features in an independent manner. We propose that trophic diversity among cichlids has been achieved via shifts in both specific (e.g., stage-specific changes in gene expression) and global (e.g., heterochrony) ontogenetic processes acting within a conserved developmental program.