The repeated, independent evolution of traits (convergent evolution) is often attributed to shared environmental selection pressures. However, developmental dependencies among traits can limit the phe
X-ray data set used in "Skeletal traits and otoliths can unravel the relationships within European Gobiidae (Gobius lineage sensu lato)" Bettina Reichenbacher, Jasna Vukić, Radek Šanda, Ulrich K. Schl
Patterns of morphological integration have the potential to influence evolutionary trajectories. However, this influence depends on the stability of the integration pattern relative to the rate of evo