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Khouri RS, Almeida-Santos SM, Fernandes DS. Reproductive maturity and sexual dimorphism of a population of Amerotyphlops brongersmianus from a Restinga area in southeastern Brazil (Serpentes: Typhlopidae). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2023; 306:2610-2620. [PMID: 36883757 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Revised: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
Natural history data are important for a better understanding of distinct aspects of snake biology, and this information in scarce on Scolecophidia. Here we focus on sexual maturity and sexual dimorphism within a population of Amerotyphlops brongersmianus from the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park, Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The smallest sexually active male and female showed snout-vent length of 117.5 and 158.4 mm, respectively. Females had statistically significant larger body and head length sizes, whereas males had longer tails. Juveniles showed no sexual dimorphism for any analyzed feature. Secondary vitellogenic follicles had a more opaque, yellowish/darker aspect, being larger than 3.5 mm. We reinforce that in addition to traditional features for determining sexual maturity, morphological and histological characteristics of kidneys should be evaluated in males, as well as the morphology of the infundibulum in females. Histological data show development of seminiferous tubules and presence of spermatozoa in males, and infundibulum receptacles and uterine glands in females as a sign of sexual maturity. This type of information is essential for a more accurate description of data on sexual maturity, allowing access to information on the development of reproductive structures that are not available macroscopically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebeca Stella Khouri
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Laboratório de Ecologia e Evolução, Instituto Butantan, São Paulo, Brazil
- Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | | | - Daniel Silva Fernandes
- Departamento de Zoologia, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
- Departamento de Vertebrados, Museu Nacional, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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2
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Tomović L, Anđelković M, Golubović A, Arsovski D, Ajtić R, Sterijovski B, Nikolić S, Crnobrnja-Isailović J, Lakušić M, Bonnet X. Dwarf vipers on a small island: body size, diet and fecundity correlates. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blac085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Insular populations offer excellent opportunities to study the factors that influence phenotypes. We observed island dwarfism in a widespread snake, the nose-horned viper (Vipera ammodytes). Island vipers were ~20% smaller than mainland individuals. They also produced fewer and smaller offspring. In snakes, food availability has a positive influence on body size, fecundity and offspring size. Consequently, low energy intake is a plausible explanation for insular dwarfism. The diet of island vipers was principally represented by lizards and centipedes, whereas the most profitable prey items (e.g. rodents) were regularly found in the stomach of mainland vipers. Furthermore, the proportion of individuals captured with a full stomach and good body condition were lower on the island compared with the mainland. Thus, island vipers were likely to be experiencing permanent energy restriction, with cascading effects on adult body size and reproductive output. Large prey promotes high relative jaw length in snakes. Island vipers displayed smaller relative jaw length compared with mainland populations, suggesting that plasticity played a role in insular dwarfism. But the difference in relative tail length between island and mainland populations, a trait not subjected to food-induced plasticity, indicates local adaptation. Both plasticity and adaptation might influence the phenotype of island vipers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ljiljana Tomović
- Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade , Studentski trg, Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Marko Anđelković
- Institute for Biological Research ‘Siniša Stanković’ – National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade , Bulevar despota Stefana, Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Ana Golubović
- Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade , Studentski trg, Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Dragan Arsovski
- Macedonian Ecological Society , Arhimedova, Skopje , North Macedonia
| | - Rastko Ajtić
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Kragujevac , Radoja Domanovića, Kragujevac , Serbia
| | | | - Sonja Nikolić
- Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade , Studentski trg, Belgrade , Serbia
| | - Jelka Crnobrnja-Isailović
- Institute for Biological Research ‘Siniša Stanković’ – National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade , Bulevar despota Stefana, Belgrade , Serbia
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Niš , Višegradska, Niš , Serbia
| | - Margareta Lakušić
- CIBIO/InBIO, Research Center in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources of the University of Porto , Vairão , Portugal
- BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão , Vairão , Portugal
| | - Xavier Bonnet
- CEBC, UMR-7372, CNRS Université de La Rochelle , Villiers en Bois , France
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3
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Wikelski M, Trillmich F. BODY SIZE AND SEXUAL SIZE DIMORPHISM IN MARINE IGUANAS FLUCTUATE AS A RESULT OF OPPOSING NATURAL AND SEXUAL SELECTION: AN ISLAND COMPARISON. Evolution 2017; 51:922-936. [PMID: 28568579 DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1997.tb03673.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/1996] [Accepted: 01/29/1997] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Body size is often assumed to represent the outcome of conflicting selection pressures of natural and sexual selection. Marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) populations in the Galápagos exhibit 10-fold differences in body mass between island populations. There is also strong sexual size dimorphism, with males being about twice as heavy as females. To understand the evolutionary processes shaping body size in marine iguanas, we analyzed the selection differentials on body size in two island populations (max. male mass 900 g in Genovesa, 3500 g in Santa Fé). Factors that usually confound any evolutionary analysis of body sizes-predation, interspecific food competition, reproductive role division-are ruled out for marine iguanas. We show that, above hatchlings, mortality rates increased with body size in both sexes to the same extent. This effect was independent of individual age. The largest animals (males) of each island were the first to die once environmental conditions deteriorated (e.g., during El Niños). This sex-biased mortality was the result of sexual size dimorphism, but at the same time caused sexual size dimorphism to fluctuate. Mortality differed between seasons (selection differentials as low as -1.4) and acted on different absolute body sizes between islands. Both males and females did not cease growth when an optimal body size for survival was reached, as demonstrated by the fact that individual adult body size phenotypically increased in each population under favorable environmental conditions beyond naturally selected limits. But why did marine iguanas grow "too large" for survival? Due to lek mating, sexual selection constantly favored large body size in males (selection differentials up to +0.77). Females only need to reach a body size sufficient to produce surviving offspring. Thereafter, large body size of females was less favored by fertility selection than large size in males. Resulting from these different selection pressures on male and female size, sexual size dimorphism was mechanistically caused by the fact that females matured at an earlier age and size than males, whereafter they constantly allocated resources into eggs, which slowed growth. The observed allometric increase in sexual size dimorphism is explained by the fact that the difference between these selective processes becomes larger as energy abundance in the environment increases. Because body size is generally highly heritable, these selective processes are expected to lead to genetic differences in body size between islands. We propose a common-garden experiment to determine the influence of genetic factors and phenotypic reaction norms of final body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wikelski
- Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Bielefeld, Postfach 100131, D-33501, Bielefeld, Germany.,Max-Planck Institute for Behavioral Physiology, Abt. Wickler, D-82319, Seewiesen, Germany
| | - Fritz Trillmich
- Department of Animal Behaviour, University of Bielefeld, Postfach 100131, D-33501, Bielefeld, Germany
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Fairbairn DJ, Preziosi RF. SEXUAL SELECTION AND THE EVOLUTION OF SEXUAL SIZE DIMORPHISM IN THE WATER STRIDER,AQUARIUS REMIGIS. Evolution 2017; 50:1549-1559. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1996.tb03927.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/1995] [Accepted: 08/09/1995] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Daphne J. Fairbairn
- Department of Biology; Concordia University; 1455 de Maisonneuve Boulevard, West Montreal Quebec H3G 1M8 Canada
| | - Richard F. Preziosi
- Department of Biology; McGill University; 1205 Docteur Penfield Montreal Quebec H3A 1B1 Canada
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Brodie ED, Janzen FJ. ON THE ASSIGNMENT OF FITNESS VALUES IN STATISTICAL ANALYSES OF SELECTION. Evolution 2017; 50:437-442. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1996.tb04505.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/1994] [Accepted: 11/02/1994] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Edmund D. Brodie
- Center for Ecology, Evolution and Behavior School of Biological Sciences, University of Kentucky Lexington Kentucky 40506‐0225
| | - Fredric J. Janzen
- Department of Zoology and Genetics Iowa State University Ames Iowa 50011
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Madsen T, Shine R. COSTS OF REPRODUCTION INFLUENCE THE EVOLUTION OF SEXUAL SIZE DIMORPHISM IN SNAKES. Evolution 2017; 48:1389-1397. [PMID: 28564481 DOI: 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1994.tb05323.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/1992] [Accepted: 09/13/1993] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Madsen
- Department of Animal Ecology, University of Lund, S 223 62, Lund, Sweden.,Biological Sciences A08, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
| | - Richard Shine
- Biological Sciences A08, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia
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Sheehy CM, Albert JS, Lillywhite HB. The evolution of tail length in snakes associated with different gravitational environments. Funct Ecol 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2435.12472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Coleman M. Sheehy
- Department of Biology University of Florida Gainesville Florida32611 USA
| | - James S. Albert
- Department of Biology University of Louisiana Lafayette Louisiana70504 USA
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Cabrera-Guzmán E, Crossland MR, Brown GP, Shine R. Larger body size at metamorphosis enhances survival, growth and performance of young cane toads (Rhinella marina). PLoS One 2013; 8:e70121. [PMID: 23922930 PMCID: PMC3726449 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0070121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2013] [Accepted: 06/17/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Body size at metamorphosis is a key trait in species (such as many anurans) with biphasic life-histories. Experimental studies have shown that metamorph size is highly plastic, depending upon larval density and environmental conditions (e.g. temperature, food supply, water quality, chemical cues from conspecifics, predators and competitors). To test the hypothesis that this developmental plasticity is adaptive, or to determine if inducing plasticity can be used to control an invasive species, we need to know whether or not a metamorphosing anuran's body size influences its subsequent viability. For logistical reasons, there are few data on this topic under field conditions. We studied cane toads (Rhinella marina) within their invasive Australian range. Metamorph body size is highly plastic in this species, and our laboratory studies showed that larger metamorphs had better locomotor performance (both on land and in the water), and were more adept at catching and consuming prey. In mark-recapture trials in outdoor enclosures, larger body size enhanced metamorph survival and growth rate under some seasonal conditions. Larger metamorphs maintained their size advantage over smaller siblings for at least a month. Our data support the critical but rarely-tested assumption that all else being equal, larger body size at metamorphosis is likely to enhance an individual's long term viability. Thus, manipulations to reduce body size at metamorphosis in cane toads may help to reduce the ecological impact of this invasive species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Cabrera-Guzmán
- School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
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Lee AM, Engen S, Sæther BE. The influence of persistent individual differences and age at maturity on effective population size. Proc Biol Sci 2011; 278:3303-12. [PMID: 21436183 PMCID: PMC3169030 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2011.0283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2011] [Accepted: 03/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ratios of effective populations size, N(e), to census population size, N, are used as a measure of genetic drift in populations. Several life-history parameters have been shown to affect these ratios, including mating system and age at sexual maturation. Using a stochastic matrix model, we examine how different levels of persistent individual differences in mating success among males may affect N(e)/N, and how this relates to generation time. Individual differences of this type are shown to cause a lower N(e)/N ratio than would be expected when mating is independent among seasons. Examining the way in which age at maturity affects N(e)/N, we find that both the direction and magnitude of the effect depends on the survival rate of juveniles in the population. In particular, when maturation is delayed, lowered juvenile survival causes higher levels of genetic drift. In addition, predicted shifts in N(e)/N with changing age at maturity are shown to be dependent on which of the commonly used definitions of census population size, N, is employed. Our results demonstrate that patterns of mating success, as well as juvenile survival probabilities, have substantial effects on rates of genetic drift.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aline Magdalena Lee
- Department of Biology, Centre for Conservation Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7491 Trondheim, Norway.
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10
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Ursenbacher S, Erny C, Fumagalli L. Male reproductive success and multiple paternity in wild, low-density populations of the adder (Vipera berus). J Hered 2008; 100:365-70. [PMID: 19074755 DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esn104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
We studied for the first time the occurrence of multiple paternity, male reproductive success, and neonate survival in wild, low-density adder (Vipera berus) populations using 13 microsatellite loci. Paternity was assigned for 15 clutches, collected during 3 years. Our data demonstrated that multiple paternity can occur at a high level (69%) in natural populations of V. berus, even if the density of adults is low. The high proportion of multiple sired clutches was comparable to the proportion observed in captive populations. Male reproductive success significantly increased with body length, and only the largest males successfully sired entire clutches. Finally, no relationship was detected between the number of fathers per clutch and neonate survival. These results suggest that multiple matings could be beneficial in populations with high level of inbreeding or low male fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvain Ursenbacher
- Département d'Ecologie et Evolution, Biophore, Université de Lausanne, Switzerland.
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Sanders K, Malhotra A, Thorpe R. Evidence for a Müllerian mimetic radiation in Asian pitvipers. Proc Biol Sci 2006; 273:1135-41. [PMID: 16600892 PMCID: PMC1560257 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2005.3418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Müllerian mimicry, in which toxic species gain mutual protection from shared warning signals, is poorly understood in vertebrates, reflecting a paucity of examples. Indirect evidence for mimicry is found if monophyletic species or clades show parallel geographic variation in warning patterns. Here, we evaluate a hypothesis of Müllerian mimicry for the pitvipers in Southeast Asia using a phylogeny derived from DNA sequences from four combined mitochondrial regions. Mantel matrix correlation tests show that conspicuous red colour pattern elements are significantly associated with sympatric and parapatric populations in four genera. To our knowledge, this represents the first evidence of a Müllerian mimetic radiation in vipers. The putative mimetic patterns are rarely found in females. This appears paradoxical in light of the Müllerian prediction of monomorphism, but may be explained by divergent selection pressures on the sexes, which have different behaviours. We suggest that biased predation on active males causes selection for protective warning coloration, whereas crypsis is favoured in relatively sedentary females.
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Jessop TS, Madsen T, Sumner J, Rudiharto H, Phillips JA, Ciofi C. Maximum body size among insular Komodo dragon populations covaries with large prey density. OIKOS 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.0030-1299.2006.14371.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Keogh JS, Scott IAW, Hayes C. RAPID AND REPEATED ORIGIN OF INSULAR GIGANTISM AND DWARFISM IN AUSTRALIAN TIGER SNAKES. Evolution 2005. [DOI: 10.1111/j.0014-3820.2005.tb00909.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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14
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Keogh JS, Scott IAW, Hayes C. RAPID AND REPEATED ORIGIN OF INSULAR GIGANTISM AND DWARFISM IN AUSTRALIAN TIGER SNAKES. Evolution 2005. [DOI: 10.1554/04-310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Abstract
Snakes of both sexes display remarkable flexibility and diversity in their reproductive tactics. Many features of reproduction in female snakes (such as reproductive mode and frequency, seasonality and multiple mating) allow flexible maternal control. For example, females can manipulate not only the genotypes of their offspring (through mate choice or enhanced sperm competition) but also the phenotypes of their offspring (through allocation 'decisions', behavioural and physiological thermoregulation, and nest-site selection). Reliance on stored energy ('capital') to fuel breeding results in low frequencies of female reproduction and, in extreme cases, semelparity. A sophisticated vomeronasal system not only allows male snakes to locate reproductive females by following scent trails, but also facilitates pheromonally mediated mate choice by males. Male-male rivalry takes diverse forms, including female mimicry and mate guarding; combat bouts impose strong selection for large body size in males of some species. Intraspecific (geographical) variation and phenotypic plasticity in a wide array of reproductive traits (offspring size and number; reproductive frequency; incidence of multiple mating; male tactics such as mate guarding and combat; mate choice criteria) provide exceptional opportunities for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Shine
- School of Biological Sciences A08, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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16
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Costs of reproduction in a population of European adders. Oecologia 1993; 94:488-495. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00566963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/1992] [Accepted: 12/15/1992] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Madsen T, Shine R. Determinants of reproductive success in female adders, Vipera berus. Oecologia 1992; 92:40-47. [DOI: 10.1007/bf00317260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/1992] [Accepted: 04/30/1992] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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