Phenotypic plasticity in the larval development of anurans: effects of temperature and their relationships with the reproductive season

• Grant number: 17/04777-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2017
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Zoology - Morphology of Recent Groups
• Principal Investigator: Tiana Kohlsdorf
• Grantee: Renan Lopes Rodrigues
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (FFCLRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 15/07650-6 - Ecology, evolution and development (Eco-Evo-Devo) in the Brazilian herpetofauna, AP.TEM

Abstract

Environmental parameters may influence the establishment of certain phenotypes during the organism development. Among vertebrates, amphibians are particularly sensitive to variations in environmental conditions, with temperature being an environmental component that strongly influences larval development. Despite the extensive theoretical framework evaluating the effects of variations in environmental conditions on tadpoles development, few studies present an integrative view of the influence of different factors in the establishment of phenotype during ontogeny. The present master project aims at verifying the hypothesis that variations in the thermal regime during larval development, involving even striking perturbations characterized by thermal shocks, affect development differently in anuran species that reproduce in winter and summer. The project will be implemented comparing species of anurans that reproduce in different seasons of the year (winter and summer), using 2 representatives of each of the following genera of Anura: Rhinella, Leptodactylus and Hypsiboas. Approximately 750 tadpoles of each species will be kept in different thermal regimes during specific stages of larval development. Morphometric analyzes will be used to verify the phenotypic effects of imposed environmental disturbances. The proposal stands out by applying an integrative approach in the investigation of the plastic response to the same environmental factor (temperature) by comparing species that reproduce in different seasons in the year. The information obtained will be particularly relevant given the current scenario of acceleration in climate change and global warming and are especially useful for accessing species vulnerability to drastic environmental changes. (AU)

Academic Publications

(References retrieved automatically from State of São Paulo Research Institutions)

RODRIGUES, Renan Lopes. Phenotypic plasticity in representatives of two Anura genera: effects of temperature during larval development. 2019. Master's Dissertation - Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto (PCARP/BC) Ribeirão Preto.