Interfamily variation in amphibian early life‐history traits: raw material for natural selection?

Ecology and Evolution

Gareth R. Hopkins¹  Brian G. Gall¹  Susannah S. French¹ 

[1] Department of Biology, Utah State University, 5305 Old Main Hill, Logan, Utah 84322

关键词: Amphibian;    egg;    embryonic development;    hatching;    Salamandridae;    Taricha granulosa;    variation;   

DOI  :  10.1002/ece3.287

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

The embryonic development and time to hatching of eggs can be highly adaptive in some species, and thus under selective pressure. In this study, we examined the underlying interfamily variation in hatching timing and embryonic development in a population of an oviparous amphibian, the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa). We found significant, high variability in degree of embryonic development and hatching timing among eggs from different females. Patterns of variation were present regardless of temperature. We also could not explain the differences among families by morphological traits of the females or their eggs. This study suggests that the variation necessary for natural selection to act upon is present in the early life history of this amphibian.

【 授权许可】

CC BY-NC   
© 2011 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes.