Proximate mechanisms responsible for random mating by size in the Himalayan toad Duttaphrynus himalayanus
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Abstract
Exploring the mechanisms that affect mating pattern with respect to body size has implications for understanding the evolution of sexual selection. Theory predicts that the absence of a relationship between female body size and fecundity, unbiased operational sex ratio, and a short breeding season will lead to random mating by body size in anuran amphibians. We tested these predictions in the Himalayan toad Duttaphrynus himalayanus inhabiting southeastern Tibet. Our study did not detect any correlation between female body size and number of eggs laid, nor was there a significant difference in the sex ratio of toads captured from the breeding site. In addition, the toads were reproductive for only a short period, from late April to early May (typical of an explosively breeding species). As expected, we detected a weak but not significant relationship between body size of amplexing males and females. Our results revealed no apparent size-assortative pairing in the study population of the Himalayan toad and may contribute to an increasing body of literature on mating patterns in relation to body size in animals with indeterminate growth.
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Proximate mechanisms responsible for random mating by size in the Himalayan toad Duttaphrynus himalayanus
In: Animal BiologySearch for other papers by Lixia Zhang in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Search for other papers by Yongsun Sheng in
Current site
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PubMed
Search for other papers by Xiangyu Yuan in
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PubMed
Search for other papers by Fei Yu in
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PubMed
Search for other papers by Xueting Zhong in
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Search for other papers by Jiahong Liao in
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Search for other papers by Zhenhao Liu in
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Search for other papers by Wei Chen in
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PubMed
Abstract
Exploring the mechanisms that affect mating pattern with respect to body size has implications for understanding the evolution of sexual selection. Theory predicts that the absence of a relationship between female body size and fecundity, unbiased operational sex ratio, and a short breeding season will lead to random mating by body size in anuran amphibians. We tested these predictions in the Himalayan toad Duttaphrynus himalayanus inhabiting southeastern Tibet. Our study did not detect any correlation between female body size and number of eggs laid, nor was there a significant difference in the sex ratio of toads captured from the breeding site. In addition, the toads were reproductive for only a short period, from late April to early May (typical of an explosively breeding species). As expected, we detected a weak but not significant relationship between body size of amplexing males and females. Our results revealed no apparent size-assortative pairing in the study population of the Himalayan toad and may contribute to an increasing body of literature on mating patterns in relation to body size in animals with indeterminate growth.
| All Time | Past 365 days | Past 30 Days | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abstract Views | 423 | 66 | 9 |
| Full Text Views | 18 | 1 | 1 |
| PDF Views & Downloads | 20 | 2 | 0 |