Polyphenism; Polymorphism; Heterochrony; Facultative paedomorphosis; Ecology; Space use; Feeding; Amphibian; Alpine newt; Alps; Alpine lake; Water depth; Food; Fairy shrimp; Resource partitioning; Chirocephalus; Ichthyosaura alpestris; Mesotriton alpestris; Triton alpestre; Amphibien; Lac de la Cabane
Abstract :
[en] 1. Facultative paedomorphosis is a polymorphism that has important evolutionary implications in promoting morphological differentiation and variation in habitat use. It occurs in several urodele species throughout the world. Several hypotheses based on life-history theory have been proposed to explain the wide range of habitats in which facultative paedomorphosis occurs, suggesting multifactorial causes. 2. In harsh habitats, such as mountain lakes, paedomorphosis might promote niche partitioning between morphs. This hypothesis was tested by comparing micro-habitat use and diet of two coexisting morphs in an alpine lake. 3. Paedomorphs occupied all microhabitats in the lake while metamorphs occurred only along the shoreline or at the water surface. Paedomorphic newts were frequent in deep water, where they foraged mainly on plankton. Plankton was poorly exploited by metamorphic newts, which fed mainly on terrestrial insects. Difference between morphs in microhabitat use, and consequently in the diet, were consistent in both sexes and in juveniles. 4. In adults, the mass and energy value of stomach contents did not differ between morphs, suggesting a similar food availability in the habitats occupied. 5. This study indicates habitat partitioning between morphs involving dietary differences. Specific benefits and costs of each ontogenetic pathway may allow their coexistence in this deep and fishless lake. Paedomorphosis benefits individual newts by making new food resources available and presumably reducing competition at the shore of the lake. However, the proximate causes of such an ontogenetic switch remain unclear.
Denoël, Mathieu ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département des sciences et gestion de l'environnement > Biologie du comportement - Ethologie et psychologie animale
Joly, Pierre; Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1
Language :
English
Title :
Adaptive significance of facultative paedomorphosis in Triturus alpestris (Amphibia, Caudata): resource partitioning in an alpine lake
Publication date :
2001
Journal title :
Freshwater Biology
ISSN :
0046-5070
eISSN :
1365-2427
Publisher :
Blackwell Publishing, Oxford, United Kingdom
Volume :
46
Issue :
10
Pages :
1387-1396
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
FRIA - Fonds pour la Formation à la Recherche dans l'Industrie et dans l'Agriculture [BE] F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique [BE]
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