Data from: Developmental plasticity, morphological variation and evolvability: a multilevel analysis of morphometric integration in the shape of compound leaves

The structure of compound leaves provides flexibility for morphological change by variation in the shapes, sizes and arrangement of leaflets. Here we conduct a multilevel analysis of shape variation in compound leaves to explore the developmental plasticity and evolutionary potential that are the basis of diversification in leaf shape. We use the methods of geometric morphometrics to study the shapes of individual leaflets and whole leaves in 20 taxa of Potentilla (sensu lato). A newly developed test based on the bootstrap approach suggests that uncertainty in the molecular phylogeny precludes firm conclusions whether there is a phylogenetic signal in the data on leaf shape. For variation among taxa, variation within taxa, as well as fluctuating asymmetry, there is evidence of strong morphological integration. The patterns of variation are similar across all three levels, suggesting that integration within taxa may act as a constraint on evolutionary change.复叶（compound leaves）的结构可通过小叶的形状、大小与排列方式的变异，为形态演化提供可塑性空间。本研究针对复叶的形状变异开展多层面分析，旨在探究作为叶片形状多样化基础的发育可塑性与演化潜力。本研究采用几何形态测量学（geometric morphometrics）方法，对20个广义委陵菜属（Potentilla sensu lato）类群的单个小叶及复叶整体的形状进行分析。一项基于自举法（bootstrap）开发的全新检验表明，由于分子系统发育（molecular phylogeny）的不确定性，目前无法就叶片形状数据中是否存在系统发育信号（phylogenetic signal）得出确定性结论。在类群间变异、类群内变异以及波动不对称（fluctuating asymmetry）这三个层面，均存在显著的形态整合（morphological integration）证据。三个层面的变异模式高度相似，这表明类群内的形态整合可能对演化变化构成约束。