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Earth sciences

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On the evolution of mating systems: a comment on Arnold and Duvall

Article Abstract:

Views regarding natural selection and the evolution of mating systems have been misinterpreted by Duvall and Arnold, and their claims that the theory is difficult to evaluate are not correct. To understand the diversity of mating relationships, the assumptions and predictions of each theory have to be properly understood. The rate of change of the number of individuals with a specific trait in a population can be determined from the equation. The theories of both Emlen and Oring, and Arnold and Duvall fail to predict the mating system of the spotted sandpiper or any other species.

Criticism and interpretation, Natural selection, Arnold, S.J., Duvall, D.

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Static, ontogenetic, and evolutionary allometry: a multivariate comparison in nine species of water striders

Article Abstract:

A multivariate approach was used to compare the static, ontogenetic and evolutionary allometry in the five larval instars of two genera of water striders, Gerris and Aquarius. The results showed a fairly close association between ontogenetic and static allometry, indicating that individual variation could have an ontogenetic basis. On the other hand, evolutionary allometry was reciprocally related to ontogenetic and static allometry. The results have implications for studies of the evolution of morphological characters.

Usage, Multivariate analysis, Allometry, Morphology (Animals), Animal morphology, Ontogeny

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Rate tests for phenotypic evolution using phylogenetically independent contrasts

Article Abstract:

Phylogenetically independent contrasts can compare calculated minimum rates of phenotypic evolution among monophyletic groups of species. This method is a simple and valid statistical procedure that utilizes data on genealogy or cladogram, phylogenetic topology and estimates of phylogentic branch lengths for all the studied species. An advantage of this procedure is that it does not require mutation rate informations compared to other present tests that compare rates of phenotypic evolution.

Research, Identification and classification, Phylogeny, Zoology, Animal taxonomy

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