Adaptive evolution of plastron shape in emydine turtles.

摘要: Morphology reflects ecological pressures, phylogeny, and genetic biophysical constraints. Disentangling their influence is fundamental to understanding selection trait evolution. Here, we assess the contributions of function, habitat patterns plastron (ventral shell) shape variation in emydine turtles. We quantify using geometric morphometrics, determine several variables on path analysis. Factors influencing are similar between turtles more inclusive Testudinoidea. evaluate fit various evolutionary models data investigate selective landscape responsible for observed morphological patterns. The presence a hinge accounts most variance, but phylogeny also correlate with shape. distribution variance across consistent an model containing two adaptive zones—one kinetic plastra, one rigid plastra. Models complex landscapes often only as well null (purely stochastic evolution). Emydinae may be relatively simple because plastral kinesis imposes overriding mechanical constraints evolution form.