CAREER: Evolution of the Locomotor Apparatus in Arthropods

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Shultz 9733777 The arthropods (arachnids, crustaceans, insects, centipedes, etc.) are a very ancient and diverse group of animals that use many different methods of locomotion. In all cases, locomotion depends on the efficient interaction of two systems, namely, a skeletomuscular system that provides the mechanical structures used in propulsion and a neuromuscular system that controls the timing of movements. Recent research on a wide range of animals suggests that evolution in the skeletomuscular system is relatively fast and evolution of the neuromuscular system is relatively slow. The PI will test this idea by examining relative rates of evolution in skeletomuscular and neuromuscular features of the locomotor mechanisms of two arthropod groups, the chelicerates (spiders, scorpions, etc.) and the centipedes. This will be accomplished by mapping skeletomuscular and neuromuscular features on phylogenetic trees and determining the relative placement of the two types of characters in evolutionary history. Fast-evolving characters are expected to appear near the ends of the branches in the tree, while the slowevolving features are expected to appear near the base. The results of the project may show that there are general patterns in the evolution of form and function.