Digest: Craniofacial morphology diversification in Malagasy primates and the role of size constraints in adaptive radiation
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: How did size-related evolutionary constraints shape the diversification of craniofacial morphology during the adaptive radiation of Malagasy lemurs? Toyoda (2025) employed geometric morphometrics to investigate craniofacial variation across Madagascar primates. The findings suggest that small-bodied lemurs exhibit a conserved craniofacial form-short rostra and large orbits-driven by mechanical and developmental constraints, yet adapt ecological specialization through rostral modifications. Large-bodied lemurs, in contrast, show greater cranial disparity, indicating a relaxation of size-related constraints. These findings underscore that evolutionary constraints do not merely limit diversification but instead channel morphological evolution along distinct, size-dependent trajectories during adaptive radiation.
Source: Evolution
Author: Yemane G Tsige
Institution: Arizona State University
Language: English
Subfield: Geometry and Topology
Field: Mathematics
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
Funder: Arizona State University
OpenAlex ID: W7117013983