Branch lengths for the morphological rates of evolution were obtained in PAUP using this topology as a constraint (see Methods).
The decoupling of the molecular and morphological rates of evolution could be interpreted as indicative of the presence of directional or stabilizing selection.
If the assumed plesiomorphic morphological characters in Solenogastres are in fact conserved ancestral features, then molecular and morphological rates of evolution are unlinked, at least for the 18S gene.
Here we study such ecomorphological evolution in cave-dwelling Sclerobuninae harvestmen (Opiliones) from the western United States, providing general insights into morphological homoplasy, rates of morphological change, and the temporal context of cave evolution.
In contrast to the expected findings, no change in morphological structure, rate of excavation by workers, or volume of excavated soil was observed between treatments, except for tunnel width, which was greater, when no brood or fungus garden was present.
During and at the conclusion of the trial samples of embryos and larvae were collected to monitor development, occurrence of morphological anomalies, rate of length and weight increase, FWC, and the length/weight relationship.
Importantly, control hyphae and hyphae developed in the presence of PK E6/E7 VECL could not be distinguished in terms of the timing of the morphological switch, rate of hyphae development, or length of hyphae and 1(c)).
When first observed, morphological homogeneity, high rates of acorn abortion, and abundant evidence of resprouting following fire suggested that all stems of Q. palmeri at this location might belong to a single clone.
It has also been suggested that both morphological and molecular rates of change may be connected to diversification rate [ 24].
This study investigates how this extreme ecological shift has influenced disparity (morphological diversity) and rates of evolution in pinniped skulls, in comparison to their fissiped relatives.
Apparent explanations for the lower genomic plasticity, morphological diversity, and rates of speciation in gymnosperms include lack of hybridization, polyploidy, and genetic imprinting, as well as decreased base substitution rate (Ahuja 2005; Buschiazzo et al. 2012).
