shapes

Evolution

Morphological traits have long been a focus of evolutionary developmental biology (’evo-devo’), but new methods for quantifying shape variation are opening unprecedented possibilities for investigating the developmental basis of evolutionary change.

Morphometric analyses are revealing that development mediates complex interactions between genetic and environmental factors affecting shape.

Evolution results from changes in those interactions, as natural selection favours shapes that more effectively perform some fitness-related functions.

Quantitative studies of shape can characterize developmental and genetic effects and discover their relative importance.

They integrate evo-devo and related disciplines into a coherent understanding of evolutionary processes from populations to large-scale evolutionary radiations.

Types

 cell shapes / cellular shapes / cell shape
 tissue shapes
 organ shapes
  body shapes

See also

 morphogenesis

• molecular morphogenesis

References

 Evolution and development of shape: integrating quantitative approaches. Klingenberg CP. Nat Rev Genet. 2010 Sep;11(9):623-35. PMID: 20697423