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Mechanical sensitivity and the dynamics of evolutionary rate shifts in biomechanical systems.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Muñoz, MM; Anderson, PSL; Patek, SN
Published in: Proceedings. Biological sciences
January 2017

The influence of biophysical relationships on rates of morphological evolution is a cornerstone of evolutionary theory. Mechanical sensitivity-the correlation strength between mechanical output and the system's underlying morphological components-is thought to impact the evolutionary dynamics of form-function relationships, yet has rarely been examined. Here, we compare the evolutionary rates of the mechanical components of the four-bar linkage system in the raptorial appendage of mantis shrimp (Order Stomatopoda). This system's mechanical output (kinematic transmission (KT)) is highly sensitive to variation in its output link, and less sensitive to its input and coupler links. We found that differential mechanical sensitivity is associated with variation in evolutionary rate: KT and the output link exhibit faster rates of evolution than the input and coupler links to which KT is less sensitive. Furthermore, for KT and, to a lesser extent, the output link, rates of evolution were faster in 'spearing' stomatopods than 'smashers', indicating that mechanical sensitivity may influence trait-dependent diversification. Our results suggest that mechanical sensitivity can impact morphological evolution and guide the process of phenotypic diversification. The connection between mechanical sensitivity and evolutionary rates provides a window into the interaction between physical rules and the evolutionary dynamics of morphological diversification.

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Published In

Proceedings. Biological sciences

DOI

EISSN

1471-2954

ISSN

0962-8452

Publication Date

January 2017

Volume

284

Issue

1847

Start / End Page

20162325

Related Subject Headings

  • Crustacea
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Biological Evolution
  • Animals
  • Animal Structures
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences
 

Citation

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Muñoz, M. M., Anderson, P. S. L., & Patek, S. N. (2017). Mechanical sensitivity and the dynamics of evolutionary rate shifts in biomechanical systems. Proceedings. Biological Sciences, 284(1847), 20162325. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2325
Muñoz, Martha M., Philip S. L. Anderson, and S. N. Patek. “Mechanical sensitivity and the dynamics of evolutionary rate shifts in biomechanical systems.Proceedings. Biological Sciences 284, no. 1847 (January 2017): 20162325. https://doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2016.2325.
Muñoz MM, Anderson PSL, Patek SN. Mechanical sensitivity and the dynamics of evolutionary rate shifts in biomechanical systems. Proceedings Biological sciences. 2017 Jan;284(1847):20162325.
Muñoz, Martha M., et al. “Mechanical sensitivity and the dynamics of evolutionary rate shifts in biomechanical systems.Proceedings. Biological Sciences, vol. 284, no. 1847, Jan. 2017, p. 20162325. Epmc, doi:10.1098/rspb.2016.2325.
Muñoz MM, Anderson PSL, Patek SN. Mechanical sensitivity and the dynamics of evolutionary rate shifts in biomechanical systems. Proceedings Biological sciences. 2017 Jan;284(1847):20162325.
Journal cover image

Published In

Proceedings. Biological sciences

DOI

EISSN

1471-2954

ISSN

0962-8452

Publication Date

January 2017

Volume

284

Issue

1847

Start / End Page

20162325

Related Subject Headings

  • Crustacea
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Biological Evolution
  • Animals
  • Animal Structures
  • 41 Environmental sciences
  • 31 Biological sciences
  • 30 Agricultural, veterinary and food sciences
  • 11 Medical and Health Sciences
  • 07 Agricultural and Veterinary Sciences