Polyphenism; Density dependence; Size structure; Facultative paedomorphosis; Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum; Tiger salamander; Body condition; Fitness; Metamorphosis; Life history; Heterochrony; Phenotypic plasticity; Best of a bad lot; Proximate causes; Capture-Mark-Recapture; CMR; Polymorphism; Mexican Cut; RMBL; Rocky Mountains; Evolution; Development; Colorado; Sex-specific metamorphosis; Sex
Abstract :
[en] Polyphenisms are excellent models for studying phenotypic variation, yet few studies have focused on natural populations. Facultative paedomorphosis is a polyphenism in which salamanders either metamorphose or retain their larval morphology and eventually become paedomorphic. Paedomorphosis can result from selection for capitalizing on favorable aquatic habitats (paedomorph advantage), but could also be a default strategy under poor aquatic conditions (best of a bad lot). We tested these alternatives by quantifying how the developmental environment influences the ontogeny of wild Arizona tiger salamanders (Ambystoma tigrinum nebulosum). Most paedomorphs in our study population arose from slow-growing larvae that developed under high density and size-structured conditions (best of a bad lot), although a few faster-growing larvae also became paedomorphic (paedomorph advantage). Males were more likely to become paedomorphs than females and did so under a greater range of body sizes than females, signifying a critical role for gender in this polyphenism. Our results emphasize that the same phenotype can be adaptive under different environmental and genetic contexts and that studies of phenotypic variation should consider multiple mechanisms of morph production.
Research Center/Unit :
AFFISH-RC - Applied and Fundamental FISH Research Center - ULiège
Whiteman, Howard; Murray State University, KY, USA
Wissinger, Scott A.; Allegheny College, PA, USA
Denoël, Mathieu ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de Biologie, Ecologie et Evolution > Biologie du comportement - Ethologie et psychologie animale
Mecklin, C. J.; Murray State University, KY, USA
Gerlanc, N. M.; Murray State University, KY, USA
Gutrich, J. J.; Southern Oregon University, OR, USA
Language :
English
Title :
Larval growth in polyphenic salamanders: making the best of a bad lot
Publication date :
2012
Journal title :
Oecologia
ISSN :
0029-8549
eISSN :
1432-1939
Publisher :
Springer Science & Business Media B.V., New York, United States - New York
Volume :
168
Issue :
1
Pages :
109-118
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
F.R.S.-FNRS - Fonds de la Recherche Scientifique Fulbright Commission NSF - National Science Foundation
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