Evaluating modularity in the hominine skull related to feeding biomechanics
Evaluating modularity in the hominine skull related to feeding biomechanics
复制标题
评估与进食生物力学相关的人类头骨的模块化
DOI:
10.1002/ajpa.24875
复制
发表时间:
2023
期刊:
影响因子:
--
通讯作者:
Baab, Karen L.
中科院分区:
文献类型:
--
作者:
Jung, Hyunwoo;Strait, David;Rolian, Campbell;Baab, Karen L.
ObjectivesModular architecture of traits in complex organisms can be important for morphological evolution at micro‐ and sometimes macroevolutionary scales as it may influence the tempo and direction of changes to groups of traits that are essential for particular functions, including food acquisition and processing. We tested several distinct hypotheses about craniofacial modularity in the hominine skull in relation to feeding biomechanics.Materials and MethodsFirst, we formulated hypothesized functional modules for craniofacial traits reflecting specific demands of feeding biomechanics (e.g., masseter leverage/gape or tooth crown mechanics) inHomo sapiens,Pan troglodytes, andGorilla gorilla. Then, the pattern and strength of modular signal was quantified by the covariance ratio coefficient and compared across groups using covariance ratio effect size. Hierarchical clustering analysis was then conducted to examine whether a priori‐defined functional modules correspond to empirically recovered clusters.ResultsThere was statistical support for most a priori‐defined functional modules in the cranium and half of the functional modules in the mandible. Modularity signal was similar in the cranium and mandible, and across the three taxa. Despite a similar strength of modularity, the empirically recovered clusters do not map perfectly onto ourpriorifunctional modules, indicating that further work is needed to refine our hypothesized functional modules.ConclusionThe results suggest that modular structure of traits in association with feeding biomechanics were mostly shared with humans and the two African apes. Thus, conserved patterns of functional modularity may have facilitated evolutionary changes to the skull during human evolution.