DRAKE, Abby G; University of Massachusetts Amherst: Heterochronic Evolution in the Skull Morphology of Canids

Landmark-based three-dimensional morphometrics are utilized to investigate heterochronic mechanisms within the skull morphology of the genus Canis. Following the strict definitions of Gould (1977) and Alberch, et al. (1979), perturbations in three developmental parameters, growth (size), development (shape), and age (sexual maturation), yield specific definitions of heterochronic processes. Analyses utilized specifically written software that diagnoses and predicts heterochronic processes. The hypothesis that heterochrony can explain the diversification of skull morphology between the genetically similar species of Canis lupis, Canis latrans, and Canis familiaris was investigated.

Gould, S.J. 1977. Ontogeny and Phylogeny. Harvard University Press: Cambridge.

Alberch, P.S., S.J. Gould, G.F. Oster, and D.B. Wake. 1979. Size and Shape in Onogeny and Phylogeny. Paleobiology. 5:296-317.