10.5061/DRYAD.G9Q79
Marchini, Marta
University of Calgary
Sparrow, Leah
University of Calgary
Cosman, Miranda
University of Calgary
Dowhanik, Alexandra S.
University of Calgary
Krueger, Carsten B.
University of Calgary
Hallgrimsson, Benedikt
University of Calgary
Rolian, Campbell
University of Calgary
Data from: Impacts of genetic correlation on the independent evolution of
body mass and skeletal size in mammals
Dryad
dataset
2014
pedigree
Mus musculus
lines of least evolutionary resistance
limb body mass allometry
Artificial selection
rodent locomotion
2014-12-18T20:36:57Z
2014-12-18T20:36:57Z
en
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12862-014-0258-0
383672 bytes
1
CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication
Mammals show a predictable scaling relationship between limb bone size and
body mass. This relationship has a genetic basis which likely evolved via
natural selection but it is unclear how much the genetic correlation
between these traits in turn impacts their capacity to evolve
independently. We selectively bred laboratory mice for increases in tibia
length independent of body mass to test the hypothesis that a genetic
correlation with body mass constrains evolutionary change in tibia length.
Over 14 generations we produced mean tibia length increases of 11-12%
while mean body mass was unchanged in selectively bred mice and
random-bred controls. Using evolutionary scenarios with different
selection and quantitative genetic parameters we also found that this
genetic correlation impedes the rate of evolutionary change in both traits
slowing increases in tibia length while preventing decreases in body mass
despite the latter's negative effect on fitness. Overall results from
this ongoing selection experiment suggest that parallel evolution of
relatively longer hind limbs among rodents for example in the context of
strong competition for resources and niche partitioning in heterogeneous
environments may have occurred very rapidly on geological timescales in
spite of the genetic correlation between tibia length and body mass.
Marchini et al 2014 BMC EvolBio - Coevolution tibia length and body mass
datasetData file of artificial selection containing all mice measured from
generations F01-F14. Measurements include body mass, tibia length, age at
measurement and litter size. Pedigree information is also provided