Variation in vertebrae shape across small‐bodied newts reveals functional and developmental constraints acting upon the trunk region
Journal of Anatomy, vol. 240, pp. 639–646
Abstract
The salamander vertebral column is largely undifferentiated with a series of more or less uniform rib-bearing presacral vertebrae traditionally designated as the trunk region. We explored regionalization of the salamander trunk in seven species and two subspecies of the salamander genus Lissotriton by the combination of microcomputed tomography scanning and geometric morphometrics. The detailed information on trunk vertebral shape was subjected to a multidimensional cluster analysis and a phenotypic trajectory analysis. With these complementary approaches, we observed a clear morphological regionalization. Clustering analysis showed that the anterior trunk vertebrae (T1 and T2) have distinct morphologies that are shared by all taxa, whereas the subsequent, more posterior vertebrae show significant disparity between species. The phenotypic trajectory analysis revealed that all taxa share a common pattern and amount of shape change along the trunk region. Altogether, our results support the hypothesis of a conserved anterior-posterior developmental patterning which can be associated with different functional demands, reflecting (sub)species' and, possibly, regional ecological divergences within species.
Authors 4
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Stefan J. Scholtes corresponding Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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Jan W. Arntzen Aachen Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands Naturalis Biodiversity Center
Affiliation as printed
Naturalis Biodiversity Center Leiden The Netherlands
Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
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University of Belgrade · Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković”
Affiliation as printed
Department of Evolutionary Biology Institute for Biological Research “Siniša Stanković” National Institute of Republic of Serbia University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
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Affiliation as printed
Faculty of Biology University of Belgrade Belgrade Serbia
Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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