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3D genital shape complexity in female marine mammals
Ecology and Evolution ( IF 2.3 ) Pub Date : 2021-02-15 , DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7269
Dara N Orbach 1, 2 , Charlotte A Brassey 3 , James D Gardiner 4 , Patricia L R Brennan 2
Affiliation  

Comparisons of 3D shapes have recently been applied to diverse anatomical structures using landmarking techniques. However, discerning evolutionary patterns can be challenging for structures lacking homologous landmarks. We used alpha shape analyses to quantify vaginal shape complexity in 40 marine mammal specimens including cetaceans, pinnipeds, and sirenians. We explored phylogenetic signal and the potential roles of natural and sexual selection on vaginal shape evolution. Complexity scores were consistent with qualitative observations. Cetaceans had a broad range of alpha complexities, while pinnipeds were comparatively simple and sirenians were complex. Intraspecific variation was found. Three‐dimensional surface heat maps revealed that shape complexity was driven by invaginations and protrusions of the vaginal wall. Phylogenetic signal was weak and metrics of natural selection (relative neonate size) and sexual selection (relative testes size, sexual size dimorphism, and penis morphology) did not explain vaginal complexity patterns. Additional metrics, such as penile shape complexity, may yield interesting insights into marine mammal genital coevolution. We advocate for the use of alpha shapes to discern patterns of evolution that would otherwise not be possible in 3D anatomical structures lacking homologous landmarks.

中文翻译:


雌性海洋哺乳动物的 3D 生殖器形状复杂性



最近,使用界标技术将 3D 形状的比较应用于不同的解剖结构。然而,对于缺乏同源地标的结构来说,辨别进化模式可能具有挑战性。我们使用 α 形状分析来量化 40 种海洋哺乳动物标本(包括鲸类、鳍足类和海牛类)的阴道形状复杂性。我们探索了系统发育信号以及自然选择和性选择对阴道形状进化的潜在作用。复杂性得分与定性观察结果一致。鲸目动物具有广泛的α复杂性,而鳍足类动物相对简单,海牛类则复杂。发现了种内变异。三维表面热图显示形状复杂性是由阴道壁的内陷和突出引起的。系统发育信号较弱,自然选择(相对新生儿大小)和性选择(相对睾丸大小、性大小二态性和阴茎形态)指标无法解释阴道复杂性模式。其他指标,例如阴茎形状复杂性,可能会对海洋哺乳动物生殖器共同进化产生有趣的见解。我们主张使用 alpha 形状来辨别进化模式,否则这在缺乏同源地标的 3D 解剖结构中是不可能的。
更新日期:2021-04-04
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