Morphological integration, modularity and evolution of organismal shapes

The shapes of organisms are integrated so that functionally and developmentally interacting parts vary together. Morphological integration is often clearly structured, so that there are modules that are tightly integrated internally and relatively independent of other modules. Such integration and modularity is thought to be the result of adaptive evolution and, in turn, it also influences the potential for further evolution. My lab uses the methods of geometric morphometrics to address various questions concerning integration and modularity of shapes in diverse study systems including fly wings and mammalian skulls. We also have developed new methods for examining patterns of integration, for testing hypotheses of modularity and for inferring the developmental basis of morphological integration.

Your project will expand on this work. Current challenges in the field concern the evolution of integration and its genetic basis. Accordingly, your project could either use a comparative approach or the methods of quantitative genetics. Depending on these choices, your research could be lab-based or primarily use museum collections. It is also possible to include a component of methods development into the project in addition to the empirical work. The precise topic of your project will be decided after discussion, and so it is possible to take into account your previous background and experience as well as your interests and personal preferences.