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Leaf litter resource quality induces morphological changes in wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus) metamorphs.
Stoler, Aaron B; Stephens, Jeffrey P; Relyea, Rick A; Berven, Keith A; Tiegs, Scott D.
Afiliação
  • Stoler AB; Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA. abstoler@gmail.com.
  • Stephens JP; Department of Biological Sciences, 2238 CBIS, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 110 8th St., Troy, NY, 12180, USA. abstoler@gmail.com.
  • Relyea RA; Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
  • Berven KA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
  • Tiegs SD; Department of Biological Sciences, Oakland University, Rochester, MI, USA.
Oecologia ; 179(3): 667-77, 2015 Nov.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26188520
For organisms that exhibit complex life cycles, resource conditions experienced by individuals before metamorphosis can strongly affect phenotypes later in life. Such resource-induced effects are known to arise from variation in resource quantity, yet little is known regarding effects stemming from variation in resource quality (e.g., chemistry). For larval anurans, we hypothesized that variation in resource quality will induce a gradient of effects on metamorph morphology. We conducted an outdoor mesocosm experiment in which we manipulated resource quality by rearing larval wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) under 11 leaf litter treatments. The litter species represented plant species found in open- and closed-canopy wetlands and included many plant species of current conservation concern (e.g., green ash, common reed). Consistent with our hypothesis, we found a gradient of responses for nearly all mass-adjusted morphological dimensions. Hindlimb dimensions and gut mass were positively associated with litter nutrient content and decomposition rate. In contrast, forelimb length and head width were positively associated with concentrations of phenolic acids and dissolved organic carbon. Limb lengths and widths were positively related with the duration of larval period, and we discuss possible hormonal mechanisms underlying this relationship. There were very few, broad differences in morphological traits of metamorphs between open- and closed-canopy litter species or between litter and no-litter treatments. This suggests that the effects of litter on metamorph morphology are litter species-specific, indicating that the effects of changing plant community structure in and around wetlands will largely depend on plant species composition.
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Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Anuros / Plantas / Ranidae / Folhas de Planta / Áreas Alagadas / Metamorfose Biológica Limite: Animals Idioma: En Revista: Oecologia Ano de publicação: 2015 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Estados Unidos

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Assunto principal: Anuros / Plantas / Ranidae / Folhas de Planta / Áreas Alagadas / Metamorfose Biológica Limite: Animals Idioma: En Revista: Oecologia Ano de publicação: 2015 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Estados Unidos