Fluctuating
Asymmetry
(1)
Antler tines in White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus
virginianus) are more or less asymmetrical about the
vertical plane. For purposes of assessing trophy quality,
offset of matching tine points are measured from the
vertical and horizontal plains [ Main Beam (MB), brow tine
(G1), secondary and tertiary tines (G2, G3)].
(2) Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States (1861 - 65), had a highly asymmetric face. Differences seen in his actual portrait (middle) are emphasized by mirroring his left side (on the right) and right side (on the left). Comparison of the two images shows that the right side is larger and much more strongly developed than the left.
Asymmetry has been regarded as a consequence of poorly-canalized development, such as might result from a loss of genetic variation (Hobs) if the alternative alleles at many loci act to buffer symmetrical development.
(2) Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States (1861 - 65), had a highly asymmetric face. Differences seen in his actual portrait (middle) are emphasized by mirroring his left side (on the right) and right side (on the left). Comparison of the two images shows that the right side is larger and much more strongly developed than the left.
Asymmetry has been regarded as a consequence of poorly-canalized development, such as might result from a loss of genetic variation (Hobs) if the alternative alleles at many loci act to buffer symmetrical development.