Framesharing

Framesharing is a phenomenon in which two or more species of animals share the same body frame size. This is often observed in closely related species that have evolved in similar environments. The term "framesharing" was coined by biologist John W. Fitzpatrick in 2007 to describe this pattern. Framesharing is distinct from convergent evolution, where different species independently evolve similar traits, and from parallel evolution, where closely related species evolve similar traits due to shared ancestry.

Framesharing is thought to occur due to a combination of factors, including similar ecological niches, similar body sizes, and similar life histories. For example, many species of bats and birds share similar body sizes, likely due to their shared role as aerial predators. Similarly, many species of small mammals, such as rodents and shrews, share similar body sizes, likely due to their shared role as small predators or herbivores.

Framesharing is an important topic in evolutionary biology, as it provides insights into the factors that influence the evolution of body size and shape. It also has implications for conservation biology, as framesharing can lead to the evolution of similar traits in closely related species, which can make them more vulnerable to extinction.