geometric morphometrics
- Mind the gap: natural cleft palates reduce biting performance in bats
Summary: Naturally occurring, non-pathological cleft palates are common in bats. Cleft dimensions are correlated with skull shape, and clefts reduce bite force, increase stress and increase strain in bat skulls.
- Effects of natural wing damage on flight performance in Morpho butterflies: what can it tell us about wing shape evolution?
Summary: Investigation of natural wing damage in Morpho butterflies shows that flight performance depends on damage location, indicating that different wing parts play different roles during flight.
- Phenotypic plasticity of Drosophila suzukii wing to developmental temperature: implications for flight
Summary: The effect of wing plasticity to developmental temperature on flight was studied in Drosophila suzukii. Results indicate that cold-reared flies are capable of faster flight. The role of wing shape and size is discussed, along with the adaptive role of phenotypic plasticity.
- Sex reversal induces size and performance differences among females of the African pygmy mouse, Mus minutoides
Highlighted Article: Female Mus minutoides sometimes carry a Y chromosome. This chromosomal change is advantageous as sex-reversed females show greater skull size and higher bite force than XX females.