Research team
Expertise
I am an evolutionary biologist with expertise in arachnids, particularly scorpions. My research integrates molecular approaches with the study of functional morphology to investigate the evolution of arachnid body parts. By combining phylogenetic frameworks with detailed morphological and biomechanical analyses, I aim to uncover the evolutionary processes shaping the diversity and specialization of arachnid form and function.
Functional Optima and Rate Constraints in Evolution (FORCE): How muscle performance limits shape morphological diversification.
Abstract
Musculoskeletal systems are shaped by trade-offs, where optimising one function reduces another. Although progress has been made in understanding how such trade-offs influence morphological evolution, most studies focus only on skeletal elements, overlooking muscle architecture and physiology. Yet muscles determine the limits of performance and therefore shape how structures are tuned to operate near functional optima. FORCE will investigate how muscles influence the evolution of traded-off musculoskeletal systems using the scorpion chela as a model of a force–velocity trade-off, with principles applicable across animals. Using in vivo performance data, imaging, phylogenetic analysis, and geometric morphometrics, I will test how muscle architecture affects integration, modularity, and diversification rates by comparing models with and without muscle parameters. I will also map how chelae along a morphological gradient are tuned to force or speed optima. While the speed criterion has been formulated theoretically, it has never been tested across a full morphological gradient, and the force criterion will be developed here for the first time. By integrating muscle physiology, biomechanics, and macroevolution in one framework, this project overcomes the skeletal-centric models and will set a new standard for studying the evolution of complex, traded-off systems.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Wassenbergh Sam
- Co-promoter: Van Damme Raoul
- Fellow: Simone Yuri
Research team(s)
Funding
- FWO
Project type(s)
- Research Project
Scorpion Morphological Evolution.
Abstract
Musculoskeletal systems are shaped by trade-offs, where the optimisation of one function comes at the cost of others. Using the scorpion pincer (chela) as a model for a musculoskeletal system subjected to a force-velocity trade-off, I will explore how muscle shape and contraction dynamics influence performance optima and the evolution of the disparity in musculoskeletal systems. Using in-vivo performance measurements, imaging techniques, phylogenetic comparative analysis and geometric morphometrics, the project will go beyond the traditional studies of morphological evolution solely based on skeletal elements. The effect of muscle architecture on the patterns of morphological integration, modularity and the evolutionary rates of morphological diversification will be estimated comparing models built on the skeletal elements with those including muscle architecture parameters. This project will also study how species evolve toward distinct force or velocity performance optima. Biomechanical modelling of chela performance will highlight how the physiological limits in the muscle contractile properties led to different evolutionary trajectories along scorpion phylogeny. This innovative approach to studying musculoskeletal evolution highlights the critical, yet often overlooked role of muscles as modulators of morphological diversification.Researcher(s)
- Promoter: Van Wassenbergh Sam
- Co-promoter: Van Damme Raoul
- Fellow: Simone Yuri
Research team(s)
Funding
- BOF
Project type(s)
- Research Project