Nature Communications (Sep 2021)

The cichlid oral and pharyngeal jaws are evolutionarily and genetically coupled

  • Andrew J. Conith,
  • R. Craig Albertson

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-25755-5
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 12, no. 1
pp. 1 – 11

Abstract

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Modular, rather than integrated systems are classically thought to allow functional diversity to evolve rapidly. A study of cichlid fish shows integration between divergent jaw systems at the phylogenetic, population, and genetic scales, suggesting integration can and does facilitate rapid, coordinated trait evolution.