Open AccessInterfamily variation in amphibian early life‐history traits: raw material for natural selection?
Author(s) -
Hopkins Gareth R.,
Gall Brian G.,
French Susannah S.,
Brodie Edmund D.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
ecology and evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.17
H-Index - 63
ISSN - 2045-7758
DOI - 10.1002/ece3.287
Subject(s) - biology , oviparity , hatching , amphibian , natural selection , zoology , population , selection (genetic algorithm) , evolutionary biology , variation (astronomy) , ecology , demography , artificial intelligence , sociology , computer science , physics , astrophysics
The embryonic development and time to hatching of eggs can be highly adaptive in some species, and thus under selective pressure. In this study, we examined the underlying interfamily variation in hatching timing and embryonic development in a population of an oviparous amphibian, the rough‐skinned newt ( Taricha granulosa ). We found significant, high variability in degree of embryonic development and hatching timing among eggs from different females. Patterns of variation were present regardless of temperature. We also could not explain the differences among families by morphological traits of the females or their eggs. This study suggests that the variation necessary for natural selection to act upon is present in the early life history of this amphibian.