In the large body of literature on ecological and evolutionary mechanisms underlying transitions between planktotrophy and lecithotrophy, the focus has typically covered long evolutionary timescales; that is, evolution of complex larval traits is generally discussed in the context of phylogenetic patterns detectable at the level of families, classes, or phyla. An analytical approach incorporating comparative phylogenetics is increasingly used to address these long-view questions. Here, we discuss what has been learned from taking a comparative phylogenetic approach and the limitations of this approach. We propose that approaches based on a closer view—that is, analyses that focus on genetic, morphological, and functional variation among individuals, populations, or closely related congeners—have greater potential to answer questions about mechanisms underlying the loss and regain of major complex characters such as feeding larvae.
Supply and larval traits at metamorphosis of a coastal marine invertebrate with a bi-phasic life cycle under contrasting oceanographic conditions
