Patterns of sexual size dimorphism in Chelonia

摘要: Macroevolutionary patterns of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) indicate how selection, natural and genetic developmental constraints mold sex differences in body size. One putative pattern, known as Rensch's rule, posits that, among species with female-larger SSD, the relative degree SSD declines species' size, whereas, male-larger species, increases Using a dataset 196 chelonian from all fourteen families, we investigated correlation evolution between male female Chelonia validity rule for taxon within its major clades. We conclude that male–female correlations are high, although these differ families. Overall, scales isometrically size; is valid only one family, Testudinidae (tortoises). Because macroevolutionary can vary markedly clades, even morphologically conservative Testudines, must guard against inappropriately pooling clades comparative studies SSD. The results present study also regression models assume x-variable (e.g. size) measured without statistical error, frequently reported, will result erroneous conclusions about phylogenetic trends dimorphism. © 2012 Linnean Society London, Biological Journal Society, 2012, 108, 396–413.