Paleohistological estimation of bone growth rate in extinct archosaurs

Paleobiology ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 335-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Cubo ◽  
Nathalie Le Roy ◽  
Cayetana Martinez-Maza ◽  
Laetitia Montes
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Bone Growth ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Metabolic Rates ◽  
Extant Species ◽  
Validation Tests

The clade Archosauria contains two very different sister groups in terms of diversity (number of species) and disparity (phenotypic variation): Crurotarsi (taxa more closely related to crocodiles than to birds) and Ornithodira (pterosaurs and dinosaurs including birds). The extant species of Crurotarsi may constitute a biased sample of past biodiversity regarding growth patterns and metabolic rates. Bone histological characters can be conserved over hundreds of millions of years in the fossil record and potentially contain information about individual age at death, age at sexual maturity, bone growth rates, and basal metabolic rates of extinct vertebrates. Using a sample of extant amniotes, we have constructed a paleobiological model to estimate bone growth rate from bone histological traits. Cross-validation tests show that this model is reliable. We then used it to estimate bone growth rates in a sample of extinct archosaurs including Crurotarsi and Ornithodira. After testing for phylogenetic signal, optimization of femoral growth rates through squared change parsimony onto a time-calibrated tree of amniotes shows two divergent evolutionary trends: whereas bone growth rates increase from the last common ancestor of Ornithodira to extant birds, they decrease from the last common ancestor of Crurotarsi to extant crocodiles. However, we conclude, on the basis of recent evidence for unidirectional airflow in the lungs of alligators, that crocodiles may have retained the capacity of growing at high rates.

Relationship between bone growth rate and bone tissue organization in amniotes: first test of Amprino's rule in a phylogenetic context

2010 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Castanet ◽  
Jorge Cubo ◽  
Laëtitia Montes
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Bone Tissue ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Bone Growth ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Variation Partitioning ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Tissue Organization ◽  
Shared Ancestry ◽  
Functional Factors

AbstractA debate on the determinism (phylogenetic versus functional) of the diversity of bone histological features has centred the interest of bone comparative biologists. While some authors have noticed the presence of a phylogenetic signal in bone tissue variation, many others have argued that these characters may not include much phylogenetic information, but rather reflect functional factors. Here we quantify both components in a sample of amniotes. We hypothesize that: 1/ the observed variation is partly the outcome of shared ancestry (phylogenetic factor) and 2/ for a given quantity of bone produced, tissues formed at a rapid rate may have a higher fraction of vascular cavities than those produced at a slower rate (functional factor). Variation partitioning analyses show that the phylogeny explains a significant portion of the variation of bone vascularity (85.3%), bone growth rate also explains a significant portion of this variation (68.3%), and there is an important overlap (67.9%). Finally, an optimization through least-squares parsimony of bone growth rates onto the phylogeny shows that the most important evolutionary change may have occurred after the split between crocodiles and birds. This change may be linked to the origin of avian endothermic metabolism because high growth rates involve high protein turnover, which is very energy consuming. We conclude that the debate on the dichotomy between phylogenetic versus functional causation of bone histological diversity is misleading, because we have shown that bone vascularity has, at the same time, a functional significance and a phylogenetic signal.

Abstract 13513: Serial CT Surveillance of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Diameter Demonstrates Predominantly Linear Growth (N-TA 3 CT)

Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sydney Olson ◽  
Marniker Wijesinha ◽  
Annalise Panthofer ◽  
William Blackwelder ◽  
Gilbert R Upchurch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Linear Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Aortic Aneurysms ◽  
Transverse Diameter ◽  
Invasive Treatment ◽  
Abdominal Aortic ◽  
Risk Of Rupture ◽  
Serial Ct

Objective: Small abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) have a low risk of rupture. Intervention is indicated when diameters exceed established thresholds. This study assessed the growth rates and patterns of AAAs over 2 years as documented on serial CT scans from the Non-Invasive Treatment of AAA Clinical Trial. Methods: 254 patients, 35 females with baseline AAA maximum transverse diameter (MTD) between 3.5-4.5 cm and 219 males with baseline MTD 3.5-5.0 cm, were included in this study. Linear regressions and segmental growth rates were used to model growth rates and patterns. Results: The yearly growth rates of AAA MTDs had a median of 0.17 cm/yr and mean of 0.19 cm/yr ± 0.14 (Figure 1). 10% of AAA displayed minimal to no growth (< 0.05 cm/yr), 62% low growth (0.05-0.25 cm/yr), 28% high growth (> 0.25 cm/yr). Baseline AAA diameter accounted for only 5.4% of growth rate variance (P<0.001, R 2 0.05). Most AAAs displayed linear growth (70%); large variations in interval growth rates occurred infrequently (3% staccato growth, 4% exponential growth); a minority of subjects’ growth patterns were not clearly classifiable (11% indeterminate-not growing, 12% indeterminate-growing) (Figure 2). No patients with baseline MTD < 4.25 cm exceeded sex-specific repair thresholds (males 0 / 92, [95% CI, 0.00-0.06]; females 0 / 25 [95% CI, 0.00-0.25]) in the course of follow-up for as long as two years. Conclusions: The majority of small AAAs exhibit linear growth; large intra-patient growth rate variations were infrequently observed over 2 years. AAA < 4.25 cm can be followed with a CT scan in 2 years with little chance of exceeding interventional MTD thresholds of 5.5 cm for men.

In situ growth rate estimates of Southern Ocean krill, Thysanoessa macrura

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 116-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jake R. Wallis ◽  
Jessica E. Melvin ◽  
Robert King ◽  
So Kawaguchi
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Somatic Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Daily Growth ◽  
Thysanoessa Macrura ◽  
Growth Method ◽  
Repeated Sampling ◽  
The Antarctic

AbstractGrowth, which is intrinsically linked to environmental conditions including temperature and food availability are highly variable both temporally and spatially. Estimates of growth rates of the Southern Ocean euphausiid Thysanoessa macrura are currently restricted to limited studies which rely upon repeated sampling and length-frequency analysis to quantify growth rates. The instantaneous growth method (IGR) was used to measure the growth rate of T. macrura successfully in the southern Kerulen Plateau region during summer, providing the first IGR parameters for the Southern Ocean euphausiid species. Results of the four-day IGR incubation indicate a period of low somatic growth for adult T. macrura. Males had a longer intermoult period (IMP) (62 days) than females (42 days), but the sexes exhibited similar daily growth rates of 0.011 mm day−1 and 0.012 mm day−1 respectively. Juveniles exhibited the fastest growth, with an IMP of 13 days and daily growth rate of 0.055 mm day−1 indicating a prolonged growth season, similar to the Antarctic krill E. superba. Consequently, we highlight the usability of the IGR method and strongly encourage its use in developing a comprehensive understanding of spatial and seasonal growth patterns of T. macrura.

scholarly journals Radial Growth Patterns Associated with Tree Mortality in Nothofagus pumilio Forest

Forests ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 489 ◽  
Author(s):  
Milagros Rodríguez-Catón ◽  
Ricardo Villalba ◽  
Ana Srur ◽  
A. Park Williams
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Forest Dynamics ◽  
Radial Growth ◽  
Tree Mortality ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Severe Drought ◽  
Nothofagus Pumilio ◽  
Total Size ◽  
Growth Trends

Tree mortality is a key process in forest dynamics. Despite decades of effort to understand this process, many uncertainties remain. South American broadleaf species are particularly under-represented in global studies on mortality and forest dynamics. We sampled monospecific broadleaf Nothofagus pumilio forests in northern Patagonia to predict tree mortality based on stem growth. Live or dead conditions in N. pumilio trees can be predicted with high accuracy using growth rate as an explanatory variable in logistic models. In Paso Córdova (CO), Argentina, where the models were calibrated, the probability of death was a strong negative function of radial growth, particularly during the six years prior to death. In addition, negative growth trends during 30 to 45 years prior to death increased the accuracy of the models. The CO site was affected by an extreme drought during the summer 1978–1979, triggering negative trends in radial growth of many trees. Individuals showing below-average and persistent negative trends in radial growth are more likely to die than those showing high growth rates and positive growth trends in recent decades, indicating the key role of droughts in inducing mortality. The models calibrated at the CO site showed high verification skill by accurately predicting tree mortality at two independent sites 76 and 141 km away. Models based on relative growth rates showed the highest and most balanced accuracy for both live and dead individuals. Thus, the death of individuals across different N. pumilio sites was largely determined by the growth rate relative to the total size of the individuals. Our findings highlight episodic severe drought as a triggering mechanism for growth decline and eventual death for N. pumilio, similar to results found previously for several other species around the globe. In the coming decades, many forests globally will be exposed to more frequent and/or severe episodes of reduced warm-season soil moisture. Tree-ring studies such as this one can aid prediction of future changes in forest productivity, mortality, and composition.

Ecological Traits of the Eucalyptus L'hérit Subgenera Monocalyptus and Symphyomyrtus

1989 ◽  
Vol 37 (3) ◽  
pp. 207 ◽  
Author(s):  
IR Noble
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Root Morphology ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Early Growth ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Leaf Chemistry ◽  
Ecological Traits ◽  
Closely Related Species ◽  
Genus Eucalyptus

The genus Eucalyptus L'Hérit. dominates most of the forests and woodlands of Australia. Many stands consist of intimate mixtures of species from different subgenera. The ecological traits of the two largest subgenera, Symphyomyrtus and Monocalyptus, are reviewed. Consistent differences in herbivore and parasite damage to leaves; in water relations; in tolerance to waterlogging, flooding, salinity and frost; in nutrient usage; in response to Phytophthora cinnamorni; and in early growth patterns are described. These can be summarised as differences in leaf chemistry; in root morphology, chemistry and activity; and in early growth rates. It is suggested that the differences in the ecological traits, and especially in the early growth rate, may help explain the coexistence of closely related species of similar habits in eucalypt communities.

Growth ecology of the tree lizard Urosaurus bicarinatus (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae), in a tropical dry forest of the Chamela Region, Mexico

2016 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 189-199 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aurelio Ramírez-Bautista ◽  
Uriel Hernández-Salinas ◽  
J. Gastón Zamora-Abrego
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Life History ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Average Rate ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Dry Forest ◽  
Von Bertalanffy ◽  
Mexican Pacific ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Tree Lizard

Determination of growth rate provides an important component of an organism’s life history, making estimations of size at maturity, survival rate, and longevity possible. Here, we report on growth rate of males and females of the tropical tree lizard Urosaurus bicarinatus, in a seasonal environment in the state of Jalisco on the Mexican Pacific Coast. We calculated body growth rates and fitted these to the Von Bertalanffy, the logistic-by-length, and the logistic-by-weight growth models. The Von Bertalanffy model provided the best fit, and we used it to analyze the growth pattern. Males and females did not differ in estimated asymptotic size and other characteristic growth parameters. Estimated growth curve predicted an age at maturity of 38 mm SVL on 120 days for males, and 40 mm SVL on 170 days for females. On the basis of the similarities in the growth rates between the sexes, comparisons were made between seasons, and we found that the average rate of growth was slightly, albeit insignificantly, higher in the rainy season than in the dry season. The similarities in the growth patterns for the sexes of this species might be indicative of variance in its life history traits (e.g., fecundity, egg size) compared to those of other populations of this species and other species of this genus; therefore, it is important to document interpopulation differences to understand the evolutionary changes that have led to optimal adaptation in a particular environment more accurately.

scholarly journals Reconstructing the ancestral phenotypes of great apes and humans (Homininae) using subspecies-level phylogenies

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keaghan J Yaxley ◽  
Robert A Foley
Keyword(s):  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Phenotypic Variation ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Great Apes ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Ancestral State ◽  
Great Ape ◽  
Subspecies Level ◽  
African Great Apes

Abstract Owing to their close affinity, the African great apes are of interest in the study of human evolution. Although numerous researchers have described the ancestors we share with these species with reference to extant great apes, few have done so with phylogenetic comparative methods. One obstacle to the application of these techniques is the within-species phenotypic variation found in this group. Here, we leverage this variation, modelling common ancestors using ancestral state reconstructions (ASRs) with reference to subspecies-level trait data. A subspecies-level phylogeny of the African great apes and humans was estimated from full-genome mitochondrial DNA sequences and used to implement ASRs for 14 continuous traits known to vary between great ape subspecies. Although the inclusion of within-species phenotypic variation increased the phylogenetic signal for our traits and improved the performance of our ASRs, whether this was done through the inclusion of subspecies phylogeny or through the use of existing methods made little difference. Our ASRs corroborate previous findings that the last common ancestor of humans, chimpanzees and bonobos was a chimp-like animal, but also suggest that the last common ancestor of humans, chimpanzees, bonobos and gorillas was an animal unlike any extant African great ape.

scholarly journals Evolution of gremlin 2 in cetartiodactyl mammals: gene loss coincides with lack of upper jaw incisors in ruminants

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan C Opazo ◽  
Kattina Zavala ◽  
Paola Krall ◽  
Rodrigo A Arias
Keyword(s):  
Gene Duplication ◽  
Common Ancestor ◽  
Gene Loss ◽  
Phenotypic Diversity ◽  
Phenotypic Variability ◽  
Single Gene ◽  
Biological Significance ◽  
Gene Copy ◽  
Last Common Ancestor ◽  
Extant Species

Understanding the processes that give rise to genomic variability in extant species is an active area of research within evolutionary biology. With the availability of whole genome sequences, it is possible to quantify different forms of variability such as variation in gene copy number, which has been described as an important source of genetic variability and in consequence of phenotypic variability. Most of the research on this topic has been focused on understanding the biological significance of gene duplication, and less attention has been given to the evolutionary role of gene loss. Gremlin 2 is a member of the DAN gene family and plays a significant role in tooth development by blocking the ligand-signaling pathway of BMP2 and BMP4. The goal of this study was to investigate the evolutionary history of gremlin 2 in cetartiodactyl mammals, a group that possesses highly divergent teeth morphology. Results from our analyses indicate that gremlin 2 has experienced a mixture of gene loss, gene duplication, and rate acceleration. Although the last common ancestor of cetartiodactyls possessed a single gene copy, pigs and camels are the only cetartiodactyl groups that have retained gremlin 2. According to the phyletic distribution of this gene and synteny analyses, we propose that gremlin 2 was lost in the common ancestor of ruminants and cetaceans between 56.3 and 63.5 million years ago as a product of a chromosomal rearrangement. Our analyses also indicate that the rate of evolution of gremlin 2 has been accelerated in the two groups that have retained this gene. Additionally, the lack of this gene could explain the high diversity of teeth among cetartiodactyl mammals; specifically, the presence of this gene could act as a biological constraint. Thus, our results support the notions that gene loss is a way to increase phenotypic diversity and that gremlin 2 is a dispensable gene, at least in cetartiodactyl mammals.

scholarly journals Quantitative histological models suggest endothermy in plesiosaurs

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4955 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corinna V. Fleischle ◽  
Tanja Wintrich ◽  
P. Martin Sander
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rates ◽  
Bone Growth ◽  
Global Radiation ◽  
Predictor Variable ◽  
Fast Growth ◽  
Late Triassic ◽  
Vascular Density ◽  
Metabolic Rates ◽  
Bone Apposition ◽  
Local Bone

BackgroundPlesiosaurs are marine reptiles that arose in the Late Triassic and survived to the Late Cretaceous. They have a unique and uniform bauplan and are known for their very long neck and hydrofoil-like flippers. Plesiosaurs are among the most successful vertebrate clades in Earth’s history. Based on bone mass decrease and cosmopolitan distribution, both of which affect lifestyle, indications of parental care, and oxygen isotope analyses, evidence for endothermy in plesiosaurs has accumulated. Recent bone histological investigations also provide evidence of fast growth and elevated metabolic rates. However, quantitative estimations of metabolic rates and bone growth rates in plesiosaurs have not been attempted before.MethodsPhylogenetic eigenvector maps is a method for estimating trait values from a predictor variable while taking into account phylogenetic relationships. As predictor variable, this study employs vascular density, measured in bone histological sections of fossil eosauropterygians and extant comparative taxa. We quantified vascular density as primary osteon density, thus, the proportion of vascular area (including lamellar infillings of primary osteons) to total bone area. Our response variables are bone growth rate (expressed as local bone apposition rate) and resting metabolic rate (RMR).ResultsOur models reveal bone growth rates and RMRs for plesiosaurs that are in the range of birds, suggesting that plesiosaurs were endotherm. Even for basal eosauropterygians we estimate values in the range of mammals or higher.DiscussionOur models are influenced by the availability of comparative data, which are lacking for large marine amniotes, potentially skewing our results. However, our statistically robust inference of fast growth and fast metabolism is in accordance with other evidence for plesiosaurian endothermy. Endothermy may explain the success of plesiosaurs consisting in their survival of the end-Triassic extinction event and their global radiation and dispersal.

Estimating larval fish growth under size-dependent mortality: a numerical analysis of bias

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 554-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tian Tian ◽  
Øyvind Fiksen ◽  
Arild Folkvord
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Longitudinal Data ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Mortality Rates ◽  
Growth Patterns ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Larval Phase ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Recruitment Success ◽  
Dependent Mortality

The early larval phase is characterized by high growth and mortality rates. Estimates of growth from both population (cross-sectional) and individual (longitudinal) data may be biased when mortality is size-dependent. Here, we use a simple individual-based model to assess the range of bias in estimates of growth under various size-dependent patterns of growth and mortality rates. A series of simulations indicate that size distribution of individuals in the population may contribute significantly to bias in growth estimates, but that typical size-dependent growth patterns have minor effects. Growth rate estimates from longitudinal data (otolith readings) are closer to true values than estimates from cross-sectional data (population growth rates). The latter may produce bias in growth estimation of about 0.03 day–1 (in instantaneous, specific growth rate) or >40% difference in some situations. Four potential patterns of size-dependent mortality are tested and analyzed for their impact on growth estimates. The bias is shown to yield large differences in estimated cohort survival rates. High autocorrelation and variance in growth rates tend to increase growth estimates and bias, as well as recruitment success. We also found that autocorrelated growth patterns, reflecting environmental variance structure, had strong impact on recruitment success of a cohort.

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