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Geometric morphometrics of corolla shape: dissecting components of symmetric and asymmetric variation in Erysimum mediohispanicum (Brassicaceae)
Author(s) -
Savriama Yoland,
Gómez José María,
Perfectti Francisco,
Klingenberg Christian Peter
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
new phytologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.742
H-Index - 244
eISSN - 1469-8137
pISSN - 0028-646X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-8137.2012.04312.x
Subject(s) - morphometrics , brassicaceae , asymmetry , fluctuating asymmetry , bilateral symmetry , biology , symmetry (geometry) , variation (astronomy) , evolutionary biology , component (thermodynamics) , principal component analysis , shape analysis (program analysis) , population , landmark , botany , geometry , zoology , mathematics , physics , ecology , statistics , artificial intelligence , astrophysics , computer science , mechanical engineering , demography , static analysis , sociology , engineering , quantum mechanics , thermodynamics
Summary Symmetry is an important feature of floral structure, and floral symmetries are diverse and often complex. We use a new morphometric approach for analysing shapes with complex types of symmetry, which partitions shape variation into a component of symmetric variation and different components of asymmetry. This approach, based on the mathematical theory of symmetry groups, can be used for landmark configurations with any type of symmetry and is therefore promising as a general framework for morphometric analyses of floral symmetry and asymmetry. We demonstrate this approach by quantifying floral shape variation in a wild population of E rysimum mediohispanicum (Brassicaceae). Flowers of this species are disymmetric, so that the symmetry in the left–right and adaxial–abaxial directions can be considered separately and in combination. Both principal component analysis and Procrustes ANOVA indicate that symmetric variation accounts for most of the total variance and that adaxial–abaxial asymmetry is the dominant component of fluctuating asymmetry. Each component is associated with specific patterns of shape variation. These results illustrate the potential of the new method and suggest new areas for future research. The new morphometric approach is promising for further analyses of floral symmetry and asymmetry in evolutionary and developmental contexts.