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Ontogeny of performance in vertebrates
1Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Antwerp, Belgium. anthony.herrel@ua.ac.be
Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ
|December 29, 2005
Summary
Juvenile vertebrates often show enhanced locomotor and defensive performance compared to adults, a phenomenon not seen in feeding behaviors. This suggests differing evolutionary pressures on these traits during animal development.
Area of Science:
- Comparative physiology
- Developmental biology
- Evolutionary biology
Background:
- Young animals often face disadvantages against adults due to smaller size and developing systems.
- Ontogenetic trajectories of performance traits may differ between ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates.
- Despite differing growth and energy needs, vertebrates share similar performance change patterns during development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate ontogenetic changes in performance traits across vertebrate groups.
- To compare performance trajectories between ectotherms and endotherms.
- To explore reasons for differences in performance compensation between locomotor and feeding behaviors.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of existing literature on vertebrate performance during ontogeny.
- Examination of performance data across diverse vertebrate taxa, including ectotherms and endotherms.
- Identification of patterns in performance compensation for different behavioral categories.
Main Results:
- Both ectothermic and endothermic vertebrates exhibit similar patterns of performance changes with age.
- Performance compensation, with juveniles outperforming adults, is common in locomotor and defensive behaviors.
- Little evidence exists for performance compensation in feeding and foraging traits in juveniles.
Conclusions:
- Juvenile vertebrates commonly display superior locomotor and defensive capabilities relative to adults.
- Adult vertebrates generally show superior feeding and foraging performance.
- Divergent selective pressures on locomotor versus feeding traits likely drive these ontogenetic patterns.
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