Journal article
Metabolism of juveniles salamanders (Plethodontidae: Desmognathus ochrophaeus ) from elevationally diverse populations
American zoologist, Vol.31(5), pp.92A-92A
01 Jan 1991
Abstract
Mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus ) exhibit striking variation in age at maturity and adult body size among populations. These and correlated life history traits covary with elevation: high elevation populations have delayed maturity, large adult size, high fecundity and large eggs. We wanted to explore the possibility that populations may have evolved differences in metabolism in response to the thermal differences associated with elevation. For example, high elevation animals may suffer less of a decrease in metabolism at the salamanders that occupy warmer, lower sites. Because such differences would influence growth dynamics and timing of maturity, we measured metabolism of growing, immature animals during the summer active season. We measured resting metabolism of a size range of juveniles from three populations (963, 1,445 and 1,737 m) at 5, 10, 15 and 20 degree C using a randomized, complete block design involving 104 individuals. Analysis of covariance revealed expected effects of mass and temperature on metabolic rates, but no population differences. Thus, there is no evidence that salamanders from these diverse environments have differentiated with respect to the thermal sensitivity of metabolism.
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Details
- Title
- Metabolism of juveniles salamanders (Plethodontidae: Desmognathus ochrophaeus ) from elevationally diverse populations
- Creators
- J BernardoJ Spotila
- Publication Details
- American zoologist, Vol.31(5), pp.92A-92A
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- [Retired Faculty]
- Identifiers
- 991019184195404721