Evaluating modularity in the hominine skull related to feeding biomechanics

Evaluating modularity in the hominine skull related to feeding biomechanics
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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
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发表时间:
2023
期刊:
American Journal of Biological Anthropology
影响因子:
--
通讯作者:
Baab, Karen L.
Baab, Karen L.
中科院分区:
--
文献类型:
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作者:
Jung, Hyunwoo;Strait, David;Rolian, Campbell;Baab, Karen L.

文献摘要

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复杂生物中特征的模块化结构对于微观和有时宏观进化尺度的形态进化很重要,因为它可能影响对特定功能(包括食物获取和加工)至关重要的特征群变化的速度和方向。我们测试了几个不同的假设颅面模块在人族颅骨有关喂养生物力学。材料和方法首先,我们为智人、泛类人猿和大猩猩的颅面特征制定了假设的功能模块,这些功能模块反映了进食生物力学的特定需求(例如咬咬器的作用/缝隙或牙冠力学)。然后,用协方差比系数量化模块化信号的模式和强度,用协方差比效应大小进行组间比较。然后进行分层聚类分析,以检查先验定义的功能模块是否与经验恢复的聚类相对应。结果头盖骨的大部分功能模块和下颌骨的一半功能模块均有统计学支持。在头盖骨和下颌骨中,以及在三个分类群中,模块化信号相似。尽管具有类似的模块化强度,但经验恢复的集群并不能完美地映射到我们的优先功能模块,这表明需要进一步的工作来完善我们假设的功能模块。结论与取食生物力学相关性状的模块化结构与人类和两种非洲类人猿基本相同。因此,在人类进化过程中,保守的功能模块模式可能促进了头骨的进化变化。
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.