COS 206-2 - Developmental plasticity in Dryophytes arenicolor: the potential effects of climate change

Background/Question/Methods

Phenotypic plasticity is the capability of a genotype to produce distinct phenotypes in response to environmental conditions. Nowadays, climate change is a reality leading to increased temperatures and changes in rainfall patterns; phenotypic plasticity has been proposed as an important mechanism to buffer the negative effects of rapid environmental change, as individuals can enhance their fitness in response to environmental stressors via developmental plasticity. In this study, we analyzed how temperature and desiccation affect morphology and life history traits in three populations of Dryophytes arenicolor from Mexico. We performed a common garden experiment with individuals from distinct populations from different genetic groups described previously (JAL, TEP, GRO). Different water temperature (20, 24, and 28°C) and desiccation (low, high and control) levels were used to grow tadpoles. We measured body growth rate and morphological traits of tadpoles and morphological traits, mass and time to metamorphosis of froglets. Finally, we compared all data among populations and treatments via generalized linear models.

Results/Conclusions

We found that moderate temperature (24°C) increased all morphological traits, growth rate and development leading to short time to metamorphosis comparing with control (20°C); conversely, high temperature (28°C) reduced survival and no change in morphological traits was observed comparing to control. Besides, low desiccation had no effect on morphological traits of froglets, but increased growth rate and development; contrariwise, high desiccation reduced all morphological traits of froglets and had no effect in growth and development. Although the pattern of response is the same in all populations, there are differences in the intervals of measures (reaction norm) among populations, this could potentially be a product of the adaptation to local environmental conditions through years. In conclusion, D. arenicolor could potentially buffer the negative effects of climate change via developmental plasticity; although this species is capable of respond to temperature and desiccation, reduction in morphology represent a trade-off that could potentially jeopardize individuals after metamorphosis and until their adult stage.