The conditions experienced early in development can have long-term effects on an organism's phenotype and performance. We tested whether variation in canopy cover over natural wetlands affected the metamorphic size, shape, and locomotor performance of Wood Frogs (Rana sylvatica) that had developed in those wetlands as larvae. Additionally, we tested if variation in locomotor performance was mediated through larval-environment effects on frog size and shape. We captured metamorphosing frogs as they emerged from open-canopy and closed-canopy ponds, and measured locomotor performance, body length, and hindlimb length. Frogs that had developed in closed canopy ponds tended to jump greater distances than those from open-canopy ponds. The difference in jumping performance was associated with differences in body size, but not limb length. This demonstrates that canopy cover does generate carryover effects in nature. However, these effects were driven entirely by environment-induced variation in size at metamorphosis, rather than variation in relative limb-length or other variables.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
Population Biology|
December 30 2013
Carry-Over Effects in Nature: Effects of Canopy Cover and Individual Pond on Size, Shape, and Locomotor Performance of Metamorphosing Wood Frogs
Matthew W. Boes;
Matthew W. Boes
1 Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106; E-mail: (MWB) mwb28@case.edu; and (MFB) mfb38@case.edu. Send reprint requests to MFB.
Search for other works by this author on:
Michael F. Benard
Michael F. Benard
1 Department of Biology, Case Western Reserve University, 10900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44106; E-mail: (MWB) mwb28@case.edu; and (MFB) mfb38@case.edu. Send reprint requests to MFB.
Search for other works by this author on:
Copeia (2013) 2013 (4): 717–722.
Citation
Matthew W. Boes, Michael F. Benard; Carry-Over Effects in Nature: Effects of Canopy Cover and Individual Pond on Size, Shape, and Locomotor Performance of Metamorphosing Wood Frogs. Copeia 1 December 2013; 2013 (4): 717–722. doi: https://doi.org/10.1643/CE-12-091
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your InstitutionCiting articles via
Investigating Ex Situ Competitive Interactions in a Novel Fish Community with Implications for the Introduction of Sunfish (Lepomis spp.) in Headwater Streams
Elizabeth Culp, Shawna Fix, Joshua Ennen, Jon Davenport, Kristen Cecala
Rapid Ossification Helps Explain Small Body Size in Urspelerpes brucei (Caudata: Plethodontidae)
Tyler L. Brock, Claire M. Crookston, Christopher K. Beachy, Carlos D. Camp
Image Processing of Thigh Color Pattern Is an Effective Method for Identifying Individual Cope’s Gray Treefrogs, Hyla chrysoscelis
Jacinda Berokoff, Iván de la Hera, Michael S. Reichert
Sexual Dimorphism in the Electric Knifefish Sternarchogiton labiatus (Gymnotiformes: Apteronotidae) with a Hypermorphic Snout and Oral Jaws
Maxwell J. Bernt, Aaron H. Fronk, Kory M. Evans, James S. Albert
Phylogenomics and Morphology of the African Fish Genus Brycinus with Revalidation of Brachyalestes and Description of a New Species from the Congo Basin (Teleostei: Alestidae)
Melanie L. J. Stiassny, Cooper Keane, José J. M. M. Mbimbi, Bruno F. Melo