Phenotypic integration and modularity are ubiquitous features of complex organisms,
describing the magnitude and pattern of relationships among biological traits. A key …

Morphological integration refers to the modular structuring of inter-trait relationships in an
organism, which could bias the direction and rate of morphological change, either …

Background Although variation provides the raw material for natural selection and evolution,
few empirical data exist about the factors controlling morphological variation. Because …

Morphological integration and modularity are closely related concepts about how different
traits of an organism are correlated. Integration is the overall pattern of intercorrelation; …

The correlated evolution of traits may be a principal factor in morphological evolution, but it
is typically studied in genetic or developmental systems. Most studies examining phenotypic …

Complex organismal structures are organized into modules, suites of traits that develop,
function, and vary in a coordinated fashion. By limiting or directing covariation among …

The rodent mandible has become a paradigm for studies on the development and evolution
of complex morphological structures. We use a combination of geometric and multivariate …

Allometry is a major determinant of within-population patterns of association among traits
and, therefore, a major component of morphological integration studies. Even so, the …

Pollinators may generate selective pressures that affect covariation patterns of multiple traits
as well as the mean values of single floral morphological traits. Berg predicted that flowers …

Floral integration has been deemed an adaptation to increase the benefits of animal
pollination, yet no attempts have been made to estimate its adaptive value under natural …