Macroevolution of phenotypic integration and modularity How does modularity structure phenotypic variability and influence large-scale phenotypic evolution? Much effort has been made to understand the developmental and functional contexts leading to differential integration of morphological traits and individuation of evolutionary modules. I am investigating the macroevolutionary implications of integration and modularity. |
Evolutionary constraints and the structure of phenotype space Phenotypic changes are mediated by development and its properties impose constraints on the variability of phenotypes. Organizing morphological phenotypes according to morphological distance (morphospace) can therefore mislead our interpretation of evolutionary patterns. I am working on approaches to approximate evolutionary accessibility and organize phenotypes accordingly. |
Allometric space and allometric disparity
Allometric spaces provide a developmental perspective to studies of morphological disparity. From their examination, measures of allometric disparity can be derived to complement standard measures of morphological disparity. Allometric spaces can reveal different modes of developmental evolution and place various macroevolutionary phenomena in a developmental context (e.g., extinction selectivity, rates of morphological diversification). |
Susceptibility to mass extinctions
Combining morphological, developmental, and biomechanical data on ammonoid shells, this project aims at investigating the determinants of mass extinction selectivity and the factors promoting post-crisis recovery. Visit the Ammonoid Palaeobiology Lab for more details. |