Phenotypic integration and conserved covariance structure in calopterygid damselflies.

Summary, in English

By comparing the phenotypic (P) variance-covariance matrices between closely related taxa or conspecific populations, one can study the outcome of the interplay between selection and developmental constraints in phenotypic evolution. Shared patterns of phenotypic integration are also of interest and might result from similarities in either selection or developmental pathways. We compared P-matrices and phenotypic integration indices between populations and species of the damselfly genus Calopteryx. P(max)-comparisons between parapatric C. splendens populations revealed stronger conserved phenotypic covariance structure than P(max)-comparisons between species, suggesting that divergence in its early stages proceeds along phenotypic lines of least resistance. Within- and among-population correlations in C. splendens were highly concordant, in further support of initial divergence along P(max). Despite some similarities in overall phenotypic integration between C. splendens and C. virgo, these two species only had several P-matrix eigenvectors in common, indicating that after reproductive isolation, divergence has proceeded against P(max).

• Author: Fabrice Eroukhmanoff; Erik Svensson
• Department/s: Evolutionary ecology; Population biology, micro- and macroevolution
• Publishing year: 2008
• Language: English
• Pages: 514-526
• Publication/Series: Journal of evolutionary biology
• Volume: 21
• Issue: 2
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1420-9101.2007.01488.x
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Status: Published
• Research group: Evolution and Ecology of Phenotypes in Nature
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1420-9101