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The trade-off between maturation and growth during accelerated development in frogs
Casey A Mueller1, Starrlight Augustine, Sebastiaan A L M Kooijman
1Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia. Casey.Mueller@unt.edu
Summary
Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory explains accelerated amphibian development by showing how energy allocation to growth versus maturation changes over time. This metabolic theory offers a mechanistic view of life history evolution.
Area of Science:
- Ecology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Metabolic Theory
Background:
- Developmental energetics are key to species' life history and ecology.
- Traditional energy budgets lack mechanistic insight into accelerated development.
- Dynamic Energy Budget (DEB) theory uniquely incorporates maturation costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply DEB theory to understand the energetics of accelerated amphibian development.
- To interpret empirical data on energy use and allocation in two frog species.
- To investigate the role of ontogenetic energy allocation in developmental timing.
Main Methods:
- Measured energy use until metamorphosis in Crinia georgiana and Pseudophryne bibronii.
- Applied DEB theory to analyze empirical data on energy allocation patterns.
- Estimated DEB parameters for direct-developing taxa.
Main Results:
- C. georgiana developed 1.7 times faster than P. bibronii.
- P. bibronii produced nine times more dry biomass at metamorphosis with lower mass-specific oxygen needs.
- DEB theory explained these differences via distinct ontogenetic energy allocation strategies.
Conclusions:
- DEB theory successfully explains accelerated development through shifts in energy allocation to maturation versus growth.
- Changes in energy allocation during development may be driven by selection for increased development rate.
- This finding is independent of the specific developmental mode (e.g., direct development).
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