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Polyandry, Predation, and the Evolution of Frog Reproductive Modes

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Author(s):
Zamudio, Kelly R. ; Bell, Rayna C. ; Nali, Renato C. ; Haddad, Celio F. B. ; Prado, Cynthia P. A.
Total Authors: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: American Naturalist; v. 188, p. 21-pg., 2016-09-01.
Abstract

Frog reproductive modes are complex phenotypes that include egg/clutch characteristics, oviposition site, larval development, and sometimes, parental care. Two evident patterns in the evolution of these traits are the higher diversity of reproductive modes in the tropics and the apparent progression from aquatic to terrestrial reproduction, often attributed to higher fitness resulting from decreased predation on terrestrial eggs and tadpoles. Here, we propose that sexual selection-and not only natural selection due to predation-favors terrestrial breeding by reducing the loss of fitness due to polyandry. To examine this novel selective mechanism, we reconstructed the evolution of reproductive diversity in two frog families (Hylidae and Leptodactylidae) and tested for concerted evolution of egg and tadpole development sites with specific mating behaviors. We found that oviposition and tadpole development sites are evolving independently, do not show the same diversity and/or directionality in terms of terrestriality, and thus may be diversifying due to different selective mechanisms. In both families, terrestrial egg deposition is correlated with amplexus that is hidden from competing males, and in hylids, testes mass was significantly larger and more variable in males with exposed amplexus that are vulnerable to polyandry. Our results indicate that intrasexual selection has been an underappreciated mechanism promoting diversification of frog reproductive modes. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 09/12013-4 - Reproductive ecology of anuran amphibians: an evolutionary perspective
Grantee:Cynthia Peralta de Almeida Prado
Support Opportunities: Research Grants - Young Investigators Grants
FAPESP's process: 12/06228-0 - Genetic, morphological and acoustic diversification in populations of an anuran endemic to the Serra da Canastra, Brazil
Grantee:Renato Christensen Nali
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
FAPESP's process: 13/50741-7 - Diversity and conservation of Brazilian amphibians
Grantee:Célio Fernando Baptista Haddad
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants