Developmental plasticity increases at the northern range margin in a warm-dependent amphibian

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Climate Change Biology

Background:

• Accurate climate change impact predictions are vital for conservation.
• Current models often overlook geographic variation in species' life histories.
• Understanding this variation is key to predicting population responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine temperature-driven developmental plasticity in pool frogs (Pelophylax lessonae) across their geographic distribution.
• To compare plasticity between central, edge, and northern marginal populations.
• To assess the adaptive significance of plasticity in high-latitude populations.

Main Methods:

• Studied pool frog populations from Poland (central), Latvia (edge), and Sweden (northern marginal).
• Assessed variation in developmental plasticity to temperature changes.
• Compared larval life-history traits (developmental period, growth rate) under different temperature regimes.

Main Results:

• Northern marginal populations exhibited higher developmental plasticity than central and edge populations.
• Larvae from northern populations shortened their developmental period and increased growth rate more under high temperatures.
• This plasticity is likely an adaptation to variable, cooler northern climates.

Conclusions:

• Geographic variation in life-history traits, particularly developmental plasticity, is crucial for accurate climate change impact modeling.
• Isolated, marginal populations may possess higher adaptive potential to climate change than anticipated.
• Conservation strategies must incorporate geographic variation in life-history traits for effective species protection.