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Evolutionary reduction of developmental plasticity in desert spadefoot toads
S S Kulkarni1, I Gomez-Mestre, C L Moskalik
1Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA.
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|September 3, 2011
Summary
Desert spadefoot tadpoles show reduced developmental plasticity compared to nondesert relatives. This adaptation helps them survive in ephemeral desert pools, unlike species in longer-lasting ponds.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Amphibian development
- Ecology
Background:
- Organisms exhibit developmental plasticity in response to environmental cues, which can be adaptive.
- The evolution of developmental plasticity in closely related species is not fully understood.
- Tadpoles, including spadefoot toads, can accelerate development to avoid pond drying.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary patterns of developmental plasticity in spadefoot toad tadpoles.
- To compare plasticity in metamorphosis timing and size among species with different breeding pond durations.
- To test the hypothesis that desert spadefoot species have evolved reduced plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Experimental manipulation of water levels to simulate pond drying.
- Comparison of time to and size at metamorphosis across spadefoot species.
- Analysis of fat body content in relation to developmental plasticity.
Main Results:
- Desert-adapted spadefoot species exhibited significantly less plasticity in larval period and size at metamorphosis.
- Nondragon species retained a higher degree of plasticity, suggesting an ancestral state.
- A correlation was found between the degree of plasticity and fat body content.
Conclusions:
- Desert spadefoot tadpoles have evolved reduced developmental plasticity as an adaptation to ephemeral desert pools.
- Developmental plasticity in amphibians may be mechanistically linked to fat body reserves.
- Environmental heterogeneity and pond duration are key factors shaping the evolution of developmental plasticity.
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