Data from: Functional modularity and mechanical stress shape plastic responses during fish development

The adaptive potential of plastic phenotypes relies on combined
developmental responses. Here, we investigated how manipulation of
developmental conditions related to foraging mode in Megaleporinus
macrocephalus fish induces plastic responses at different levels: 1)
functional modularity of skull bones, 2) biomechanical properties of the
chondrocranium using Finite Element Models, 3) bmp4 expression levels,
used as a proxy for molecular pathways involved in bone responses to
mechanical load. We identified new modules in the experimental groups,
suggesting increased integration in head bone elements associated with the
development of subterminal and upturned mouths, which are major features
of Megaleporinus plastic morphotypes released in the lab. Plastic
responses in head shape involved differences in the magnitude of
mechanical stress, which seem restricted to certain chondrocranium
regions. Three bones represent a ‘mechanical unit’ related to changes in
mouth position induced by foraging mode, suggesting that functional
modularity might be enhanced by specific regions responding to load.
Differences in bmp4 expression levels between plastic morphotypes indicate
associations between molecular signaling pathways and biomechanical
responses to load. Our results offer a multilevel perspective of
epigenetic factors involved in plastic responses, expanding our knowledge
about mechanisms of developmental plasticity that originate novel complex
phenotypes.