Modularity is now generally recognized as a fundamental feature of organisms, one that may
have profound consequences for evolution. Modularity has recently become a major focus of …

Evolvability is best addressed from a multi-level, macroevolutionary perspective through a
comparative approach that tests for among-clade differences in phenotypic diversification in …

The degree to which developmental biases affect trait evolution is subject to much debate.
Here, we first quantify fluctuating asymmetry as a measure of developmental variability, ie …

Evolutionary innovations are scattered throughout the tree of life, and have allowed the
organisms that possess them to occupy novel adaptive zones. While the impacts of these …

Modularity is a ubiquitous feature of organismal design that plays an important role in
structuring patterns of morphological diversification. Modularity can facilitate evolutionary …

The diversifications of Darwin's finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers are two text-book
examples of adaptive radiation in birds. Why these two bird groups radiated while the …

Metamorphosis is widespread across the animal kingdom and induces fundamental
changes in the morphology, habitat and resources used by an organism during its lifetime …

Evolutionary constraints may significantly bias phenotypic change, while “breaking” from
such constraints can lead to expanded ecological opportunity. Ray-finned fishes have …

Diversification and adaptive radiations are tied to evolvability, which in turn is linked to
morphological integration. Tightly integrated structures typically evolve in unison, whereas …

Birds show tremendous ecological disparity in spite of strong biomechanical constraints
imposed by flight. Modular skeletal evolution is generally accepted to have facilitated this …