Analysis of the variations, at an intermediate regional scale, of life history traits of Rhinella arenarum using reciprocal transplant experiments.

ACOSTA, REBECA; KEHR, ARTURO I.

Métodos en Ecología y Sistemática

Instituto Centroamericano para la Investigación en Biología y Conservación

Lugar: San José; Año: 2010 vol. 5 p. 16 - 29

1659-3049

In plasticity phenomena, it is necessary to experimentally distinguish between the genetic component, the variation induced by the environment, and the interaction between both, in order to make interpretations about evolution and the adaptive nature of these changes. Among the experimental approaches available, recyprocal transplants are often used, in which individuals from different populations are reared together in each of the native environments. This chapter presents the results obtained in the study of the causes of geographic variation in life history traits during the larval stage of Rhinella arenarum. For this purpose, a reciprocal transplant experiment was designed in the native environments Moldes (southern environment) and Salta (northern environment). The populations exhibited differential responses to the rearing environment, as well as an influence of this on age, size and growth rate of the individuals from the populations studied.