Phenotypic plasticity and morphological integration in a marine modular invertebrate |
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Authors: | Juan A Sánchez Catalina Aguilar Daniel Dorado Nelson Manrique |
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Institution: | 1.Laboratorio de Biología Molecular Marina – BIOMMAR, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas-Facultad de Ciencias,Universidad de los Andes,Bogotá,Colombia, USA |
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Abstract: | Background Colonial invertebrates such as corals exhibit nested levels of modularity, imposing a challenge to the depiction of their
morphological evolution. Comparisons among diverse Caribbean gorgonian corals suggest decoupling of evolution at the polyp
vs. branch/internode levels. Thus, evolutionary change in polyp form or size (the colonial module sensu stricto) does not imply a change in colony form (constructed of modular branches and other emergent features). This study examined
the patterns of morphological integration at the intraspecific level. Pseudopterogorgia bipinnata (Verrill) (Octocorallia: Gorgoniidae) is a Caribbean shallow water gorgonian that can colonize most reef habitats (shallow/exposed
vs. deep/protected; 1–45 m) and shows great morphological variation. |
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