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- Title
Predator-induced phenotypic plasticity in tadpoles: extension or innovation?
- Authors
KRAFT, P. G.; FRANKLIN, C. E.; BLOWS, M. W.
- Abstract
Phenotypic plasticity, the ability of a trait to change as a function of the environment, is central to many ideas in evolutionary biology. A special case of phenotypic plasticity observed in many organisms is mediated by their natural predators. Here, we used a predator–prey system of dragonfly larvae and tadpoles to determine if predator-mediated phenotypic plasticity provides a novel way of surviving in the presence of predators (an innovation) or if it represents a simple extension of the way noninduced tadpoles survive predation. Tadpoles of Limnodynastes peronii were raised in the presence and absence of predation, which then entered a survival experiment. Induced morphological traits, primarily tail height and tail muscle height, were found to be under selection, indicating that predator-mediated phenotypic plasticity may be adaptive. Although predator-induced animals survived better, the multivariate linear selection gradients were similar between the two tadpole groups, suggesting that predator-mediated phenotypic plasticity is an extension of existing survival strategies. In addition, nonlinear selection gradients indicated a cost of predator-induced plasticity that may limit the ability of phenotypic plasticity to enhance survival in the presence of predators.
- Subjects
BIOLOGICAL evolution; DRAGONFLIES; TADPOLES; PREDATORY animals; PHENOTYPES
- Publication
Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2006, Vol 19, Issue 2, p450
- ISSN
1010-061X
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1420-9101.2005.01015.x