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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The evolution of jumping performance in anurans: morphological correlates and ecological implications

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Author(s):
Gomes, F. R. [1] ; Rezende, E. L. [2] ; Grizante, M. B. [3] ; Navas, C. A. [4]
Total Authors: 4
Affiliation:
[1] Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Dept Fisiol, BR-18618000 Botucatu, SP - Brazil
[2] Univ Autonoma Barcelona, Dept Genet & Microbiol, Fac Biociencies, E-08193 Barcelona - Spain
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Filosofia Ciencias & Letras Ribeirao Pret, Dept Biol, BR-14049 Ribeirao Preto, SP - Brazil
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Fisiol, Sao Paulo - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 4
Document type: Journal article
Source: JOURNAL OF EVOLUTIONARY BIOLOGY; v. 22, n. 5, p. 1088-1097, MAY 2009.
Web of Science Citations: 47
Abstract

We investigated the evolution of anuran locomotor performance and its morphological correlates as a function of habitat use and lifestyles. We reanalysed a subset of the data reported by Zug (Smithson. Contrib. Zool. 1978; 276: 1-31) employing phylogenetically explicit statistical methods (n = 56 species), and assembled morphological data on the ratio between hind-limb length and snout-vent length (SVL) from the literature and museum specimens for a large subgroup of the species from the original paper (n = 43 species). Analyses using independent contrasts revealed that classifying anurans into terrestrial, semi-aquatic, and arboreal categories cannot distinguish between the effects of phylogeny and ecological diversification in anuran locomotor performance. However, a more refined classification subdividing terrestrial species into `fossorials' and `non-fossorials', and arboreal species into `open canopy', `low canopy' and `high canopy', suggests that part of the variation in locomotor performance and in hind-limb morphology can be attributed to ecological diversification. In particular, fossorial species had significantly lower jumping performances and shorter hind limbs than other species after controlling for SVL, illustrating how the trade-off between burrowing efficiency and jumping performance has resulted in morphological specialization in this group. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 03/01577-8 - Causes and correlations of physiological variation: role of environmental and behavioral gradients at different levels of organization
Grantee:Carlos Arturo Navas Iannini
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants