Sex-specific ventral dichromatism and melanization in harlequin toads (Atelopus): a common but overlooked character of unknown function

IF 1.8 3区 环境科学与生态学 Q3 ECOLOGY Evolutionary Ecology Pub Date : 2024-02-01 DOI:10.1007/s10682-024-10288-2
Amadeus Plewnia, Stefan Lötters, Samuel Gomides, Massimo De Agrò, Daniela C. Rößler
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Abstract

Hidden colors are a widespread phenomenon in the animal kingdom, particularly in anurans. In some cases, hidden colors are suddenly exposed during defensive displays to startle predators, others seemingly remain hidden—particularly from researchers. Amazonian species of Neotropical harlequin toads (genus Atelopus) show striking and consistent ventral sexual dichromatism where females show and males generally lack melanization. Inspired by these observations we undertook a deeper inquiry across this species-rich genus. We collected data on ventral sexual dichromatism in Atelopus species and scored expression of sex-specific ventral melanization (i.e. black, brown and/or grey coloration). Ventral sexual dichromatism was present throughout the entire range of the genus and in almost all phylogenetic groups. However, there was a clear geographic signal with this trait being most common and widespread in Amazonian Atelopus species. Ventral melanization was correlated with temperature and elevation. Focusing on the Amazonian species, we present hypotheses on potential functions of sexually dimorphic ventral patterns and sex-specific ventral melanization as a baseline to further investigate the dynamics of sexual and natural selection as potential drivers of these traits. Selective pressures on less exposed body parts, such as ventral sides, likely differ considerably from those on dorsal appearance. Given the amount of research on amphibian coloration, it is remarkable how little we know about the evolution, function and underlying mechanisms of ventral appearance. We hope our work will spark more interest in the flip side of amphibians, thereby broadening our understanding of animal coloration.

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哈氏蟾蜍(Atelopus)性别特异性腹部二色性和黑色化:一种常见但被忽视的未知功能特征
隐藏颜色是动物界的一种普遍现象,在无尾类动物中尤为常见。在某些情况下,隐藏的颜色会在防御时突然暴露出来,以惊吓捕食者,而另一些隐藏的颜色则似乎一直隐藏着--特别是在研究人员面前。亚马逊河流域的新热带虹彩蟾蜍(Atelopus 属)表现出惊人而一致的腹侧性二色性,雌性表现出黑色,而雄性一般没有黑色。受这些观察结果的启发,我们对这个物种丰富的属进行了更深入的调查。我们收集了 Atelopus 物种腹侧性二色性的数据,并对性别特异性腹侧黑色化(即黑色、棕色和/或灰色)的表达进行了评分。腹侧性二色性存在于该属的整个分布区和几乎所有系统发育群中。然而,在亚马逊河流域的 Atelopus 物种中,这一特征最为常见和普遍,并具有明显的地理信号。腹部黑化与温度和海拔有关。我们以亚马逊河流域的物种为重点,提出了关于性双态腹面模式和性别特异性腹面黑色化潜在功能的假说,并以此为基础进一步研究性选择和自然选择的动态,因为它们是这些性状的潜在驱动因素。腹侧等暴露较少的身体部位所承受的选择性压力可能与背侧外观所承受的选择性压力有很大不同。鉴于对两栖动物体色的研究数量之多,我们对腹面外观的进化、功能和内在机制知之甚少,这一点非常值得注意。我们希望我们的工作能引发人们对两栖动物反面的更多兴趣,从而拓宽我们对动物着色的理解。
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来源期刊
Evolutionary Ecology
Evolutionary Ecology 环境科学-进化生物学
CiteScore
3.00
自引率
5.30%
发文量
70
审稿时长
3 months
期刊介绍: Evolutionary Ecology is a concept-oriented journal of biological research at the interface of ecology and evolution. We publish papers that therefore integrate both fields of research: research that seeks to explain the ecology of organisms in the context of evolution, or patterns of evolution as explained by ecological processes. The journal publishes original research and discussion concerning the evolutionary ecology of organisms. These may include papers addressing evolutionary aspects of population ecology, organismal interactions and coevolution, behaviour, life histories, communication, morphology, host-parasite interactions and disease ecology, as well as ecological aspects of genetic processes. The objective is to promote the conceptual, theoretical and empirical development of ecology and evolutionary biology; the scope extends to any organism or system. In additional to Original Research articles, we publish Review articles that survey recent developments in the field of evolutionary ecology; Ideas & Perspectives articles which present new points of view and novel hypotheses; and Comments on articles recently published in Evolutionary Ecology or elsewhere. We also welcome New Tests of Existing Ideas - testing well-established hypotheses but with broader data or more methodologically rigorous approaches; - and shorter Natural History Notes, which aim to present new observations of organismal biology in the wild that may provide inspiration for future research. As of 2018, we now also invite Methods papers, to present or review new theoretical, practical or analytical methods used in evolutionary ecology. Students & Early Career Researchers: We particularly encourage, and offer incentives for, submission of Reviews, Ideas & Perspectives, and Methods papers by students and early-career researchers (defined as being within one year of award of a PhD degree) – see Students & Early Career Researchers
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