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A method to calculate rates of phenotypic evolution in continuous characters from comparative data is analyzed. Phenotypic evolution rates define the link between the rate of evolutionary changes in time and characters. The evolution rates are determined by genetic drift and natural selection, and character change estimations assume such evolutionary transitions. The exact measurements of phenotypical changes can enhance the reliability of comparative method techniques that assume links between quantitative factors.

A negative correlation between phylogenetic analysis techniques and evolutionary changes indicate that there are limitations in the form of optimal lengths to the Sceloporus push-up displays. Correlated growth of display structural components have a greater effect in the development of Sceloporus push-up displays than the connections structure and the display structure. The use of nonphylogenetic factors has been criticized and, therefore, cannot be used in the statistical study of data which are interspecific in nature.