Phenotypic Plasticity in Body Sizes and Sexual Size Dimorphism in European Grass Snakes.
نویسندگان
چکیده
The interrelationships between body size, sexual differences and growth rates of European grass snakes were studied. Two-factor analysis of variance and covariance were used in the analysis of the relationships. Results indicate that prey availability causes the marked differences in adult body sizes and the degree of sexual size dimporphism among populations of grass snakes without any genetic modifications involved.
منابع مشابه
Sexual size dimorphism of the tongue in a North American pitviper
Sexual dimorphisms – phenotypic dissimilarities between the sexes – are common and widespread among plants and animals, and classical examples include differences in body size, colour, shape, ornamentation and behaviour. In general, sexual dimorphisms are hypothesized to evolve by way of sexual selection acting on one sex through priority-of-access for sexual partners via mate choice and/or int...
متن کاملSexual Size Dimorphism and Growth Plasticity in Snakes: an Experiment on the Western Diamondâ•’Backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
We conducted an experiment to examine the effects of sex and food intake on growth, mass gain, and attainment of sexual maturity in Western Diamond‐backed Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox). We also measured testosterone levels to determine whether testosterone might be involved in the male‐biased sexual size dimorphism observed in this species. We collected neonate rattlesnakes and raised them in t...
متن کاملProximate Determinants of Sexual Size Dimorphism in the Western Diamond-Backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
—Sexual size dimorphism (SSD), where males and females differ in body size, is prevalent among animal species. In species where females are larger, size may provide a fecundity advantage, whereas in species where males are larger, size may lend an intrasexual competition advantage. In most rattlesnake species, adult males are heavier and longer than females. The predominant hypothesis for this ...
متن کاملSexual size dimorphism and growth plasticity in snakes: an experiment on the Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox).
We conducted an experiment to examine the effects of sex and food intake on growth, mass gain, and attainment of sexual maturity in Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnakes (Crotalus atrox). We also measured testosterone levels to determine whether testosterone might be involved in the male-biased sexual size dimorphism observed in this species. We collected neonate rattlesnakes and raised them in t...
متن کاملFunctional and ecological correlates of ecologically-based dimorphisms in squamate reptiles.
Sexual dimorphism in phenotypic traits associated with the use of resources is a widespread phenomenon throughout the animal kingdom. While ecological dimorphisms are often initially generated by sexual selection operating on an animal's size, natural selection is believed to maintain, or even amplify, these dimorphisms in certain ecological settings. The trophic apparatus of snakes has proven ...
متن کاملذخیره در منابع من
با ذخیره ی این منبع در منابع من، دسترسی به آن را برای استفاده های بعدی آسان تر کنید
برای دانلود متن کامل این مقاله و بیش از 32 میلیون مقاله دیگر ابتدا ثبت نام کنید
ثبت ناماگر عضو سایت هستید لطفا وارد حساب کاربری خود شوید
ورودعنوان ژورنال:
- Evolution; international journal of organic evolution
دوره 47 1 شماره
صفحات -
تاریخ انتشار 1993