Weak integration allows novel fin shapes and spurs locomotor diversity in reef fishes.

In complex functional systems composed of many traits, selection for specialized function can induce trait evolution by acting directly on individual components within the system, or indirectly through networks of trait integration. However, strong integration can also hinder diversification into regions of trait space that are not aligned with axes of covariation among traits. As a result, non-independence among traits may limit capacity for functional expansion.

Complexity and weak integration promote the diversity of reef fish oral jaws.

Major trade-offs often manifest as axes of diversity in organismal functional systems. Overarching trade-offs may result in high trait integration and restrict the trajectory of diversification to be along a single axis. Here, we explore the diversification of the feeding mechanism in coral reef fishes to establish the role of trade-offs and complexity in a spectacular ecological radiation.

High-latitude ocean habitats are a crucible of fish body shape diversification.

A decline in diversity from the equator to the poles is a common feature of Earth's biodiversity. Here, we examine body shape diversity in marine fishes across latitudes and explore the role of time and evolutionary rate in explaining the diversity gradient. Marine fishes' occupation of upper latitude environments has increased substantially over the last 80 million years.

Replicated Functional Evolution in Cichlid Adaptive Radiations.

AbstractAdaptive radiations highlight the mechanisms by which species and traits diversify and the extent to which these patterns are predictable. We used 1,110 high-speed videos of suction feeding to study functional and morphological diversification in 300 cichlid species from three African Great Lake radiations of varying ages (Victoria, Malawi, and Tanganyika) and an older, spatially dispersed continental radiation in the Neotropics. Among African radiations, standing diversity was reflective of time.

Deep sea evolution: Glowing lures, parasitic males and rapid speciation in anglerfishes.

Anglerfish are creatures of the deep ocean, featuring glowing lures, huge, toothy mouths and parasitic males physically attached to females. A new study finds that genomic degradation of the immune system facilitated the origin of parasitic males as anglerfishes invaded the deep zone where they experienced an adaptive radiation.