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Evolution of avian foot morphology through anatomical network analysis

Author

Listed:
  • Julieta Carril

    (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
    Av. 60 y 118)

  • Ricardo S. De Mendoza

    (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
    Av. 60 y 118)

  • Federico J. Degrange

    (Ing. Ismael Bordabehere y Av. Haya de la Torre)

  • Claudio G. Barbeito

    (Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET)
    Av. 60 y 118)

  • Claudia P. Tambussi

    (Ing. Ismael Bordabehere y Av. Haya de la Torre)

Abstract

Avian evolution led to morphological adaptive variations in feet. Diverse foot types are accompanied by a diverse muscle system, allowing birds to adopt different primary lifestyles, and to display various locomotor and manipulative skills. We provide insights of evolutionary and functional significance on the avian foot architecture through Anatomical Network Analysis, a methodology focused on connectivity patterns of anatomical parts. Here, we show that: (1) anatomical parts largely conserved in living birds and already present in ancestral dinosaurs exhibit the highest connectivity degree, (2) there is no link between the more complex foot networks and the ability to perform more specialized skills or a higher number of different tasks, (3) there is a trend towards the simplification of foot networks on a macroevolutionary scale within birds, and (4) foot networks are phylogenetically constrained and conserved in all birds despite their foot type diversity, probably due to stabilizing selection.

Suggested Citation

  • Julieta Carril & Ricardo S. De Mendoza & Federico J. Degrange & Claudio G. Barbeito & Claudia P. Tambussi, 2024. "Evolution of avian foot morphology through anatomical network analysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-54297-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-54297-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jhwueng Dwueng-Chwuan & Huzurbazar Snehalata & O’Meara Brian C. & Liu Liang, 2014. "Investigating the performance of AIC in selecting phylogenetic models," Statistical Applications in Genetics and Molecular Biology, De Gruyter, vol. 13(4), pages 459-475, August.
    2. Andrew Brinkworth & Emily Green & Yimeng Li & Jack Oyston & Marcello Ruta & Matthew A. Wills, 2023. "Bird clades with less complex appendicular skeletons tend to have higher species richness," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
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