Academic literature on the topic 'MORPHOMETRIC COVARIATION'

Character independence is an important assumption in parsimony-based phylogenetic analysis. For taxa with extant representatives, the analysis of within-species covariation of quantitative characters provides a basis for assessing character independence. One promising approach is to use mean species scores on factors of within-species covariation as phylogenetic characters, but the use of common morphometric factor models leads to problems with either the independence or the interpretability of such characters. Principal components and principal factors, whether rotated or not, may be constrained to be orthogonal but may be difficult to interpret since the effects of each factor are spread over all variables. In Wright-style factor analysis the restriction of secondary factors to subsets of variables facilitates their interpretation, but the factors may be highly correlated.An alternative approach is to adopt a hierarchical factor model in which correlated first-order factors are restricted to subsets of the variables. Size is modelled as a second-order factor inducing correlation of the primary factors, in contrast to the common morphometric procedure of attempting to partial out size in the first stage of analysis. The size-independent components of the primary factors provide shape characters which are interpretable as the deviations of regional growth from their predictions based on size. Hierarchical factor models have been widely used in psychometric studies since their introduction by Thurstone in the 1930's, but have been little used in morphometric analyses.The hierarchical model is applied to the covariances of interlandmark trusses measured on skulls of extant canids using a video-based stereophotogrammetric system. Preliminary results indicate that the canid skull may be partitioned into discrete regions of relatively independent local growth.

The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the morphology changes of the mandibular symphysis (MS) in a longitudinal retrospective cohort of class II untreated subjects. The study sample included 120 subjects followed during normal growth and examined at the age of 12 (T0) and 15 (T1) years. MS was traced using two landmarks and ten sliding semi-landmarks. The acquired morphological data were processed via Procrustes superimposition that allowed to study variation and covariation in MS’form according to specific variables such as age, gender, and skeletal pattern. The first two principal components (PCs) described more than 90 % of the total morphological variation. Both types of form changes of the symphysis could be associated with the different skeletal vertical growth patterns. Age and sex did not interfere with the form of chin symphysis. Moreover, there was no significant covariation between initial MS morphology and form modifications. Clinicians should not expect to be faced with spontaneous changes of the form of the symphysis during the orthodontic treatment of adolescents.

Abstract I studied morphometric variation in 13 linear measurements from 228 American Coots (Fulica americana) collected in southern Manitoba. Univariate and multivariate techniques revealed differences in size and shape among adult coots that were 1, 2, and =2 yr old. In addition to the obvious differences in size between males and females, the morphometry of older birds differed from that of younger birds in two ways. First, older coots were of larger body size than younger coots of the same sex. Second, older coots had proportionately larger feet and claws relative to the size of their tarsi, and proportionately wider bills and heads relative to other head measurements, than did younger birds. Multivariate dispersion matrices within age/sex cohorts were less variable for older coots. In an analysis of 1-yr-old males, breeders did not differ from nonbreeders in overall body size, but breeders had relatively longer claws and wings than nonbreeders. Age-related differences in morphology may have relevance to the social structure of nesting coots, which involves highly aggressive territorial behavior. Part of the age-related variation in nesting phenology that has been documented elsewhere for coots may be a consequence of covariation in body size and shape.

Since Darwin, biologists have sought to understand the evolution and origins of phenotypic adaptations. The skull is particularly diverse due to intense natural selection on feeding biomechanics. We investigated the genetic and molecular origins of trophic adaptation using Lake Malawi cichlids, which have undergone an exemplary evolutionary radiation. We analyzed morphological differences in the lateral and ventral head shape among an insectivore that eats by suction feeding, an obligate biting herbivore, and their F2 hybrids. We identified variation in a series of morphological traits—including mandible width, mandible length, and buccal length—that directly affect feeding kinematics and function. Using quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping, we found that many genes of small effects influence these craniofacial adaptations. Intervals for some traits were enriched in genes related to potassium transport and sensory systems, the latter suggesting co-evolution of feeding structures and sensory adaptations for foraging. Despite these indications of co-evolution of structures, morphological traits did not show covariation. Furthermore, phenotypes largely mapped to distinct genetic intervals, suggesting that a common genetic basis does not generate coordinated changes in shape. Together, these suggest that craniofacial traits are mostly inherited as separate modules, which confers a high potential for the evolution of morphological diversity. Though these traits are not restricted by genetic pleiotropy, functional demands of feeding and sensory structures likely introduce constraints on variation. In all, we provide insights into the quantitative genetic basis of trophic adaptation, identify mechanisms that influence the direction of morphological evolution, and provide molecular inroads to craniofacial variation.

L'évolution est le produit de deux grands facteurs: l'environnement et le développement. Il est donc important de déterminer l'impact de ces deux forces lorsque l'on s'intéresse à l'évolution morphologique d'un organe. Pour cela, il est utile d'étudier l'évolution en temps profond, seul moyen d'observer les mécanismes en action sur de longs intervalles de temps et les réponses à des variations environnementales majeures. Le but de ce travail de thèse est de mieux comprendre l'évolution d'une espèce fossile: le conodonte. Ce vertébré marin dépourvus de mâchoire possède un appareil buccal composé de structures minéralisées semblables à des dents, appelées éléments conodontes. Leur fort taux d’évolution, leur enregistrement fossile long et sub-continu, et la taille importante de leurs populations font de ces éléments conodontes un modèle de choix pour répondre aux questions évolutives en temps profond. Dans la littérature, peu d'études ont tentées de quantifier la forme de ces éléments, et aucune dans un cadre développemental. Grâce à la découverte de fossiles exceptionnellement préservés, ainsi qu'à l'établissement d'une méthodologie pour quantifier les patrons de variation morphologique et de covariation de ces éléments, plusieurs facettes de l'évolution de la forme chez ces éléments ont pu être étudiées. Nous avons entre autre établis l'existence de covariations entre certains traits morphologiques, illustrant les contraintes faisant pression sur ceux-ci. Certaines contraintes sont considérées comme développementales et d'autres potentiellement mécaniques. Des directions évolutives sont également mises en évidence, contraintes par le développement qui canalise ainsi l'évolution. A l'échelle inter-genre, nous avons démontré un lien entre les changements environnementaux (notamment des variations de température) et ces directions évolutives. Ces résultats démontrent un effet croisé des forces développementales (contraignant les morphologies possible) et les forces environnementales (sélectionnant les morphologies en fonction des changements de conditions) dans l'évolution des éléments conodontes. Nous proposons des évènements d'hétérochronie comme mécanisme sous-jacent à cette évolution, potentiellement contrôlés par la température océanique. La quantification de la forme est également utilisée pour tenter de clarifier la taxonomie des neogondolellides au Trias inférieur. Ces travaux démontrent le potentiel du conodonte en tant qu'organisme modèle pour étudier l'évolution en temps profond
Evolution is the result of two main factors: the environment and the development. In this context, untangling the impact of these two forces on the morphological evolution of a structure is of major importance. To do so, studying evolution in deep time is useful, as it is the only way to observe the mechanisms in action over a long time interval and the responses to major environmental variations. In this thesis, we aim to better understand the evolution of a fossil species: the conodont. These marine jawless vertebrates possess a feeding apparatus composed of mineralized structures comparable to teeth, called conodont elements. Their high evolutionary rate, their long and sub-continuous fossil record, and their large populations made them a relevant model to conduct evolutionary studies in deep time. In the literature, only a few studies attempt to quantify the shape of conodont elements, and never in a developmental framework. With the discovery of new exceptionally preserved fossils, and the establishment of a methodology to quantify the patterns of morphological variation and covariations in these elements, the morphological evolution of conodont elements have been studied from different angles. We have established the existence of covariations between some morphological characters, illustrating the constraints on possible morphologies. Some constraints are considered developmental, while others are potentially mechanical. Evolutionary directions are highlighted, channelled by developmental constraints. At the inter-genera scale, we demonstrated a relationship between environmental changes (especially temperature variations) and these evolutionary directions. The results revealed a combined effect of the developmental forces (that constrain the initial possible morphologies) and the evolutionary forces (selecting the fittest morphologies depending on conditions) in the conodont elements evolution. We proposed heterochrony as underlying mechanism for these patterns, potentially driven by oceanic temperature. Shape quantification is also used in an attempt to clarify the neogondolellids taxonomy of the early Triassic. This work demonstrates the conodont's potential as model organism to study evolution in deep time

Ce travail de thèse porte sur l'intégration des structures craniofaciales au sein de la famille des hominidés. Au cours de l'évolution, une réduction du prognathisme et une diminution de la longueur de la face sont observées chez les taxons appartenant au rameau humaine. Cette réduction des structures faciales est associée à une base du crâne plus fléchie et à une mandibule plus gracile. L'objectif de ce travail est de définir le rôle joué par les changements basicrâniens et mandibulaires dans la mise en place de la face courte et droite des humains modernes. Dans ce contexte, les schémas d'intégration liant la face et les autres structures crâniennes (basicrâne et mandibule) ont été décrits et quantifiés dans ce mémoire. Ce travail a été effectué sur la base d'un échantillon de crânes incluant l'ensemble des genres d'hominidés actuels : les humains modernes, les chimpanzés, les gorilles et les orangs-outans. Les crânes ont été préalablement numérisés à l'aide d'un scanner médical. Les schémas d'intégration craniofaciaux ont alors été étudiés à l'aide d'outils statistiques et de méthodes d'analyses en morphométrie géométrique. Ce travail a permis de mettre en avant plusieurs mécanismes d'intégration craniofaciale, propres aux humains modernes. Ces schémas d'intégration spécifiques permettent d'expliquer en grande partie la mise en place de la face réduite des humains modernes. Ces résultats permettent donc d'éclairer les mécanismes d'évolution et de mise en place des structures faciales chez les hominidés et dans le rameau humain
This thesis dissertation is dedicated to the study of craniofacial structures within the hominid family. Throughout evolution, a reduction of facial prognathism and a diminution of the facial length are observed in the taxa which belong to the human lineage. This reduction of facial structures is associated to a more flexed cranial base and to a shorter mandible. The aim of this work is to define the role played by the basicranial and mandibular changes in the set up of the short and straight face of modern humans. In this context, the patterns of integration linking the face and the other cranial structures (basicranium and mandible) are decrypted and quantified in this thesis dissertation. This work has been done with a sample including all the extant hominid genera: modern humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, orang-utans. The skulls were first scanned using a medical scanner. Patterns of craniofacial integration were then studied using statistical tools and geometric morphometric analysis methods. This work underlined several mechanisms of craniofacial integration, unique to modern humans. These specific patterns of integration can explain an important part of the set up of modern humans reduced face. Thus, these results enlighten the evolution mechanisms and the set up of facial structures in hominids and in the human lineage

OGGETTO: Valutare attraverso l’uso delle tecniche della geometria morfometrica il pattern di covarianza tra la morfologia palatale e craniofacciale. MATERIALI E METODI: è stato raccolto un campione di 85 soggetti (44F,41M;età media 8.7±0.8) con malocclusione di II Classe secondo questi criteri di inclusione: etnia caucasica, II Classe scheletrica, rapporti occlusali di II Classe divisione 1 secondo Angle, fase della dentatura mista precoce, stadio prepuberale di crescita scheletrica. Per ogni soggetto sono stati raccolti modelli in gesso e teleradiografie del cranio in proiezione latero-laterale dell’epoca pretrattamento. È stata applicata l’analisi di Procruste e poi effettuata l’analisi delle componenti principali (PCA) per mettere in luce il pattern di variazione morfologica palatale e quello craniofacciale. Successivamente è stata condotta l’analisi dei minimi quadrati parziali per stabilire se ci fosse un pattern di covarianza tra la morfologia palatale e craniofacciale. RISULTATI: per quanto riguarda la morfologia palatale la prima componente principale si riferisce a cambiamenti spaziali nelle tre dimensioni. Per quanto riguarda invece la morfologia craniofacciale la prima componente principale riguarda variazioni morfologiche sul piano scheletrico verticale. La morfologia del palato e del complesso scheletrico craniofacciale covaria significativamente. La componente principale PLS1 riguarda circa il 64% della covarianza totale e correla la divergenza facciale alla larghezza e all’altezza della volta palatina; quanto più il pattern di crescita craniofacciale tende all’iperdivergenza tanto più stretto e alto sarà il palato. CONCLUSIONI: i soggetti con malocclusione di II Classe con pattern scheletrico craniofacciale iperdivergente tendono ad avere un palato stretto dalla volta alta mentre i soggetti con caratteristiche scheletriche di ipodivergenza hanno tendenzialmente un palato più basso e largo.

Climate has a selective influence on nasal cavity morphology. Due to the constraints of cranial integration, naturally selected changes in one structure necessitate changes in others in order to maintain structural and functional cohesion. The relationships between climate and skull/nasal cavity morphology have been explored, but the integrative role of nasal variability within the skull as a whole has not. This thesis presents two hypotheses: 1) patterns of craniofacial integration observed in 2D can be reproduced using 3D geometric morphometric techniques; 2) the nasal cavity exhibits a higher level of covariation with the lateral cranial base than with other parts of the skull, since differences in nasal morphology and basicranial breadth have both been linked to climatic variables. The results support the former hypothesis, but not the latter; covariation observed between the nasal cavity and other cranial modules may suggest that these relationships are characterized by a unique integrative relationship.
February 2016