Evolution of morphology and locomotor performance in anurans: relationships with microhabitat diversification

Citadini, Jessyca Michele; Brandt, Renata; Williams, Craig R.; Gomes, Fernando Ribeiro

doi:10.1111/jeb.13228

Cited by 53 publications

(50 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…2013; Vidal‐García and Keogh 2015; Vidal‐García and Keogh 2017; Citadini et al. 2018; Moen 2019), we found a strong relationship between limb morphology and microhabitat, contradicting another large study that found no such relationship (Jorgensen and Reilly 2013). We found that both fore‐ and hindlimbs had a significant relationship with microhabitat unlike other studies that examined the limbs separately (Jorgensen and Reilly 2013; Vidal‐García and Keogh 2017).…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…2015; Vidal‐García and Keogh 2015; Citadini et al. 2018). Some studies also measured the maximum width of limb bones (Vidal‐García et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2013; Vidal‐García and Keogh 2015; Vidal‐García and Keogh 2017; Citadini et al. 2018; Moen 2019). Other studies have found no correlation between anuran limbs and microhabitat except in burrowing frogs (Jorgensen and Reilly 2013; Vidal‐García et al.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2014) or have found differences between fore‐ and hindlimbs in the relationship of morphology and microhabitat (Jorgensen and Reilly 2013; Citadini et al. 2018). Intriguingly, the two studies with the largest sampling of families disagree on whether limb morphology shows a relationship with microhabitat (37 families, Jorgensen and Reilly 2013; 31 families, Moen 2019).…”

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confidence: 99%

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Anuran limbs reflect microhabitat and distal, later‐developing bones are more evolutionarily labile*

Stepanova

Womack

2020

Evolution

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Tetrapod limbs have been used as a model system to investigate how selective pressures and constraints shape morphological evolution. Anurans have had many independent transitions to various microhabitats, allowing us to dissect how these factors influence limb morphology. Furthermore, anurans provide a unique system to test the generality of developmental constraints proposed in mammals, namely that later‐developing limb bones are under less constraint and show more variation. We used microcomputed tomography scans of 236 species from 52 of 55 families, geometric morphometrics, and modern phylogenetic comparative methods to examine how limb bones are related to microhabitat, phylogeny, allometry, and developmental timing. Although there was significant phylogenetic signal, anuran limb shape showed a relationship with microhabitat and to a lesser extent, body size. We found that distal bones had higher evolutionary rates than proximal bones, providing evidence that developmental constraints are reduced in later‐developing bones. Distal bones also showed increased selection related to allometry and microhabitat, providing an additional explanation for higher evolutionary rates. By looking at the evolution of limb shape across a diverse clade, we demonstrated that multiple factors have shaped anuran limbs and that greater evolutionary lability in later‐developing limb bones is likely a general trend among tetrapods.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…2015; Vidal‐García and Keogh 2015; Citadini et al. 2018). Some studies also measured the maximum width of limb bones (Vidal‐García et al.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Anuran limbs reflect microhabitat and distal, later‐developing bones are more evolutionarily labile*

Stepanova

Womack

2020

Evolution

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“…No benthonic species have been studied so far (Husak & Lailvaux, ). Walking on land, swimming, or flying are modes of locomotion that impose several restrictions on how an individual is shaped (Citadini, Brandt, Williams, & Gomes, ), whereas walking underwater relaxes the restrictions imposed by gravitational forces (Martinez, ). Simply put, individuals are lighter underwater due to buoyancy (i.e., buoyancy reduces the effective weight of any object), which may decrease the costs of carrying exaggerated weapons.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Underwater compensation for exaggerated weaponry: The role of morphology and environment on crab locomotor performance

2019

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Exaggerated morphologies may increase fitness, but they might be costly to bear; heavy weight, for instance, might hinder locomotion. Evidence supporting these costs are sparse because animals that move on land or swim have traits reducing those costs, called compensatory traits. Animals that walk underwater, however, are under different environmental pressures than land animals. Buoyancy, for instance, reduces the effective weight of any object, which could decrease the locomotion costs of carrying exagerrated traits. Hence, underwater species might maintain performance without compensation. To test this, we compared males of the freshwater anomuran Aegla longirostri that bear an exaggerated claw to females (the natural control). We first tested whether the exaggerated claw decreased male locomotor performance. Next, we tested if sexual dimorphism in performance is associated with differences in leg asymmetry, length, and muscle size. Lastly, we tested if large males have proportionally heavier legs than smaller males. Unexpectedly, females are faster than males while also having relatively longer legs than males. Therefore, females might walk faster because of the longer legs, which might be unrelated to the male exaggerated claw. Furthermore, larger males did not have proportionally heavier legs than smaller males, further suggesting no compensation. Hence, even though aeglid's claw weigh ~25% of their total body weight, we did not find evidence for burden or compensation on males. The environment might thus decrease the costs of exaggerated traits.

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Ecomorphology of the pectoral girdle in anurans (Amphibia, Anura): Shape diversity and biomechanical considerations

Engelkes

Kath

Kleinteich³

et al. 2020

Ecology and Evolution

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Frogs and toads (Lissamphibia: Anura) show a diversity of locomotor modes that allow them to inhabit a wide range of habitats. The different locomotor modes are likely to be linked to anatomical specializations of the skeleton within the typical frog Bauplan. While such anatomical adaptations of the hind limbs and the pelvic girdle are comparably well understood, the pectoral girdle received much less attention in the past. We tested for locomotor‐mode‐related shape differences in the pectoral girdle bones of 64 anuran species by means of micro‐computed‐tomography‐based geometric morphometrics. The pectoral girdles of selected species were analyzed with regard to the effects of shape differences on muscle moment arms across the shoulder joint and stress dissipation within the coracoid. Phylogenetic relationships, size, and locomotor behavior have an effect on the shape of the pectoral girdle in anurans, but there are differences in the relative impact of these factors between the bones of this skeletal unit. Remarkable shape diversity has been observed within locomotor groups indicating many‐to‐one mapping of form onto function. Significant shape differences have mainly been related to the overall pectoral girdle geometry and the shape of the coracoid. Most prominent shape differences have been found between burrowing and nonburrowing species with headfirst and backward burrowing species significantly differing from one another and from the other locomotor groups. The pectoral girdle shapes of burrowing species have generally larger moment arms for (simulated) humerus retractor muscles across the shoulder joint, which might be an adaptation to the burrowing behavior. The mechanisms of how the moment arms were enlarged differed between species and were associated with differences in the reaction of the coracoid to simulated loading by physiologically relevant forces.

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Evolution of morphology and locomotor performance in anurans: relationships with microhabitat diversification

Cited by 53 publications

References 75 publications

Anuran limbs reflect microhabitat and distal, later‐developing bones are more evolutionarily labile*

Anuran limbs reflect microhabitat and distal, later‐developing bones are more evolutionarily labile*

Underwater compensation for exaggerated weaponry: The role of morphology and environment on crab locomotor performance

Ecomorphology of the pectoral girdle in anurans (Amphibia, Anura): Shape diversity and biomechanical considerations

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