Reversing opinions on Dollo's Law. Academic Article

abstract

• Dollo's Law, the idea that the loss of complex features in evolution is irreversible, is a popular concept in evolutionary biology. Here we review how application of recent phylogenetic methods, genomics and evo-devo approaches is changing our view of Dollo's Law and its underlying mechanisms. Phylogenetic studies have recently demonstrated cases where seemingly complex features such as digits and wings have been reacquired. Meanwhile, large genomics databases and evo-devo studies are showing how the underlying developmental pathways and genetic architecture can be retained after the loss of a character. With dwindling evidence for the law-like nature of Dollo's Law, we anticipate a return to Dollo's original focus on irreversibility of all kinds of changes, not exclusively losses.

authors

• Miglietta, Maria

published proceedings

• Trends Ecol Evol

altmetric score

• 21.25

author list (cited authors)

• Collin, R., & Miglietta, M. P.

citation count

• 137

complete list of authors

• Collin, Rachel||Miglietta, Maria Pia

publication date

• January 2008

publisher

• Elsevier  Publisher

published in

• Trends in Ecology and Evolution  Journal

keywords

• Animals
• Bayes Theorem
• Biological Evolution
• Chickens
• Likelihood Functions
• Mammals
• Models, Genetic
• Phylogeny
• Selection, Genetic
• Tooth

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

• 10.1016/j.tree.2008.06.013

start page

• 602

end page

• 609

volume

• 23

issue

• 11

URL

• http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tree.2008.06.013