The evolution of ontogenetic allometric trajectories in mammalian domestication

Abstract

Morphological divergence of domesticated as compared to wild forms must result from changes in the ontogenetic process. Species-specific tests for heterochrony have rejected a single explanation of domestic forms representing juveniles of their wild relatives. Ontogenetic allometric trajectories for 12 pairs of wild and domestic mammals were examined using skull growth data for 1070 specimens, including representatives from all lineages in which domestication has occurred. A suite of tests were performed to quantify allometric disparity in wild and domestic forms and assess the extent and patterning of modification to allometric trajectories. Domestication has modified postnatal ontogenetic allometric trajectories in mammals, and has generated disparity, achieved through lengthening of trajectory slopes and alteration to slope angles. Allometric disparity was similar for domestic forms compared to their wild relatives, whereas the magnitude of dispersion along allometric vectors differed between precocial mammals and altricial mammals, underscoring the importance of life history and shared evolutionary history in patterns of ontogenetic variation. The results verify the importance of scaling in the morphological changes associated with domestication. The response to domestication for all measured trajectory parameters was variable across species, suggesting multiple pathways of change.