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Alternative life-history styles in anuran amphibians: evolutionary and ecological implications

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Alternative Life-History Styles of Animals

Part of the book series: Perspectives in vertebrate science ((PIVS,volume 6))

Synopsis

A great diversity of reproductive modes exists among anuran amphibians. From the generalized mode of aquatic eggs and aquatic larvae many specialized modes have evolved. Some of these modes have evolved independently in unrelated lineages, whereas others are known only in one lineage. Superimposition of reproductive modes on cladograms based on morphological or allozymic data of selected groups of anurans provides insights into the evolutionary polarities of some life-history parameters. An underlying theme in anuran life-history evolution has been the removal of eggs from water. Because of the problems associated with evaporative water loss, non-aquatic eggs can survive only in humid terrestrial conditions, and taxa having non-aquatic eggs show high fidelity to humid environments. The generalized mode of aquatic eggs and larvae is typical of unpredictable environments, in which population sizes may vary greatly from year to year depending on the optimality of environmental conditions. In contrast, specialized reproductive modes in predictable environments result in greater population stability. Production of fewer, larger eggs results in offspring that are more fit. Greater fitness also results from parental care; increased parental investment is correlated with lower fecundity but higher survivorship. Thus, the generalized reproductive mode with high fecundity is advantageous when conditions are optimal in any environment, whereas the derived, specialized reproductive modes are advantageous only in predictable, stable environments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Museum of Natural History and Department of Systematics and Ecology, The University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas, 66045-2454, USA

    William E. Duellman

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  1. William E. Duellman
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  1. J.L.B. Smith Institute of Ichthyology, Private Bag 1015, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa

    Michael N. Bruton

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© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Dordrecht

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Duellman, W.E. (1989). Alternative life-history styles in anuran amphibians: evolutionary and ecological implications. In: Bruton, M.N. (eds) Alternative Life-History Styles of Animals. Perspectives in vertebrate science, vol 6. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2605-9_6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-2605-9_6

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-7675-3

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