Pond characteristics influence the intraspecific variation in the morphometry of the tadpoles of two species of Dendropsophus (Anura: Hylidae) from the Cerrado savanna of northeastern Brazil

Autor(es)

Lopes, Gildevan N. ^[1] ; Serra, Raymony T. A. ^[2] ; Piorski, Nivaldo M. ^[3] ; De Andrade, V, Gilda

Afiliação do(s) autor(es)

^[1] Univ Fed Maranhao, Programa Posgrad Biodiversidade & Biotecnol, Av Portugueses 1966, BR-65080805 Sao Luis, MA - Brazil

^[2] Univ Fed Maranhao, Programa Posgrad Biodiversidade & Conservacao CCB, Av Portugueses 1966, BR-65080805 Sao Luis, MA - Brazil

^[3] V, Univ Fed Maranhao, Dept Biol, Av Portugueses 1966, BR-65080805 Sao Luis, MA - Brazil

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências; v. 92, n. 2 2020.
• Citações Web of Science: 0

Resumo

Spatial variation in the environment may be an important source of morphological variation in many organisms. Tadpoles are valuable model organisms for studies of morphological variation, and in particular, the evaluation of the relationship between environmental and morphological variables. In heterogeneous environments, such as the temporary ponds found in the Cerrado savanna of central Brazil, understanding how environmental variables influence the morphological variation found in tadpole populations can provide important insights into this phenomenon. The present study thus aimed to (i) describe the morphometric variation in tadpoles found in different populations of Dendropsophus nanus and Dendropsophus minutus in the Cerrado of southern Maranhao state (Brazil), and (ii) relate this variation in tadpole morphology to the characteristics of the local ponds. Tadpoles were collected from 11 pounds in southern Maranhao, and the morphological space among the different populations was compared using NPMANOVA, separately for each species. The degree of association between the environmental and morphological matrices was then tested using a Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression. The morphological (tadpole morphometry) and environmental (pond characteristics) data matrices were obtained by ordination techniques. Considerable morphometric differences were found among populations in both species. In D. nanus, the morphometric variation was correlated with that of the substrate, whereas in D. minutus, morphometry was associated with the vegetation found in the pond. Overall, then, the study demonstrated that distinct environmental variables influenced significantly the morphometry of the tadpoles of each frog species. Spatial variation in the environment may be an important source of morphological variation in many organisms. Tadpoles are valuable model organisms for studies of morphological variation, and in particular, the evaluation of the relationship between environmental and morphological variables. In heterogeneous environments, such as the temporary ponds found in the Cerrado savanna of central Brazil, understanding how environmental variables influence the morphological variation found in tadpole populations can provide important insights into this phenomenon. The present study thus aimed to (i) describe the morphometric variation in tadpoles found in different populations of Dendropsophus nanus and Dendropsophus minutus in the Cerrado of southern Maranhao state (Brazil), and (ii) relate this variation in tadpole morphology to the characteristics of the local ponds. Tadpoles were collected from 11 pounds in southern Maranhao, and the morphological space among the different populations was compared using NPMANOVA, separately for each species. The degree of association between the environmental and morphological matrices was then tested using a Stepwise Multiple Linear Regression. The morphological (tadpole morphometry) and environmental (pond characteristics) data matrices were obtained by ordination techniques. Considerable morphometric differences were found among populations in both species. In D. nanus, the morphometric variation was correlated with that of the substrate, whereas in D. minutus, morphometry was associated with the vegetation found in the pond. Overall, then, the study demonstrated that distinct environmental variables influenced significantly the morphometry of the tadpoles of each frog species. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 10/52321-7 - Girinos de anuros da Mata Atlântica, da Amazônia, do Pantanal, do cerrado e de zonas de transição: caracterização morfológica, distribuição espacial e padrões de diversidade
• Beneficiário: Denise de Cerqueira Rossa-Feres
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Programa BIOTA - Regular