Felidae; Nimravidae; Convergence; 3D geometric morphometrics; integration; Disparity; Skull; Mandible; Rate of evolution
Abstract :
[en] The sabertooth morphology stands as a classic case of convergence, manifesting recurrently across various vertebrate groups, prominently within two carnivorans clades: felids and nimravids. Nonetheless, the evolutionary mechanisms driving these recurring phenotypes remain insufficiently understood, lacking a robust phylogenetic and spatiotemporal framework. We reconstruct into the tempo and mode of cranio-mandibular evolution of Felidae and Nimravidae and evaluate the strength of the dichotomy between conical and sabertoothed species but also within sabertoothed morphotypes. To do so, we investigate morphological variation, convergence, phenotypic integration, and evolutionary rates, employing a comprehensive dataset of nearly 200 3D models encompassing mandibles and crania from both extinct and extant feline-like carnivorans, spanning their entire evolutionary timeline. Our results reject the hypothesis of a distinctive sabretooth morphology, revealing instead a continuous spectrum of feline-like phenotypes in both cranium and mandible, with sporadic instances of unequivocal convergence. Disparity peaked at the end of the Miocene and is usually higher in clades containing taxa with extreme sabertoothed adaptations. We show that taxa with saberteeth exhibit a lower degree of craniomandibular integration, allowing to exhibit a greater range of phenotypes. Those same groups usually show a burst of morphological evolutionary rate at the beginning of their evolutionary history. Consequently, we propose that a reduced degree of integration coupled with rapid evolutionary rates emerge as key components in the development of a sabertoothed morphology in multiple clades.
Disciplines :
Zoology Life sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others Physical, chemical, mathematical & earth Sciences: Multidisciplinary, general & others
Author, co-author :
Chatar, Narimane ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Evolution and diversity dynamics lab ; UC Berkeley [US-CA] > Department of Integrative Biology > Functional Anatomy and Vertebrate Evolution Lab
Michaud, Margot ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Evolution and diversity dynamics lab ; Université des Antilles et de la Guyane [FR] > Département Formation et Recherche Sciences et Technologie
Tamagnini, Davide; Sapienza - Sapienza Università di Roma [IT] > Department of Biology and Biotechnologies
Fischer, Valentin ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Evolution and diversity dynamics lab
Language :
English
Title :
Evolutionary patterns of cat-like carnivorans unveils drivers of the sabertoothed morphology
Publication date :
2024
Journal title :
Current Biology
ISSN :
0960-9822
eISSN :
1879-0445
Publisher :
Cell Press, Cambridge, United States - Massachusetts
Volume :
34
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Name of the research project :
SYNTHESYS Access Program
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique BAEF - Belgian American Educational Foundation Sapienza - Sapienza Università di Roma FRIA - Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture
Funding number :
FRIA FC 36251; MIS F.4511.19; CN00000033; ES-TAF-2750
Funding text :
NC was supported by a grant from the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique F.R.S.–FNRS (FRIA grant number FRIA FC 36251) and is currently supported by a Belgian American Educational Foundation (BAEF) post-doctoral fellowship. VF is supported by a grant from the Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique F.R.S.–FNRS (MIS F.4511.19). DT is grateful to NBFC, funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research, PNRR, Missione 4 Componente 2, “Dalla ricerca all’ impresa”, Investimento 1.4, Project CN00000033. DT also received support from ‘Avvio alla Ricerca 2019, 2020, and 2022’ funding, which is financed by the University of Rome ‘La Sapienza’. DT also received support from the SYNTHESYS Access Program that is financed by the European Community Research Infrastructure Action under the FP7 (ES-TAF-2750 awarded to DT).
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