Convergent evolution in Afrotheria and non-afrotherians demonstrates high evolvability of the mammalian inner ear
Evolutionary convergence in distantly related species is among the most convincing evidence of adaptive evolution. The mammalian ear, responsible for balance and hearing, is not only characterised by its spectacular evolutionary incorporation of several bones of the jaw, it also varies considerably in shape across modern mammals. Using a multivariate approach, we show that in Afrotheria, a monophyletic clade with morphologically and ecologically highly disparate species, inner ear shape has evolved similar adaptations as in non-afrotherian mammals. We identify four eco-morphological trait combinations that underlie this convergence. The high evolvability of the mammalian ear is surprising: Nowhere else in the skeleton are different functional units so close together; it includes the smallest bones of the skeleton, encapsulated within the densest bone. We suggest that this evolvability is a direct consequence of the increased genetic and developmental complexity of the mammalian ear compared to other vertebrates.
Authors
- Anne Le Maître (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2690-7367)
- Cathrin Pfaff (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5539-2097)
- Guillermo Bravo Morante (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1544-9279)
- Philipp Mitterœcker (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5308-3837)
- Frank E. Zachos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0133-6265)
- Viola Winkler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5307-3420)
- Nicole D. S. Grunstra (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6708-2245)
- Fabian Hollinetz
Institutions
- Natural History Museum Vienna (AT)
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR)
- University of Vienna (AT)
- Konrad Lorenz Institute for Evolution and Cognition Research (AT)
- University of the Free State (ZA)
- Charles Darwin University (AU)
- Institute of Human Sciences (AT)
- Institute of Paleoprimatology Human Paleontology Evolution and Paleoenvironments (FR)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Published
- 2024-09-16
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-52180-1
- Citations
- 6
- Primary Topic
- Evolution and Paleontology Studies
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 9.53
Funders
- National Science Foundation
- Yale University
- Harvard University
- Austrian Science Fund
- Museum of Vertebrate Zoology
- Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University