Jumping performance in the highly aquatic frog, Xenopus tropicalis: sex-specific relationships between morphology and performance.

ABSTRACT: Frogs are characterized by a morphology that has been suggested to be related to their unique jumping specialization. Yet, the functional demands associated with jumping and swimming may not be that different as suggested by studies with semi-aquatic frogs. Here, we explore whether features previously identified as indicative of good burst swimming performance also predict jumping performance in a highly aquatic frog, Xenopus tropicalis. Moreover, we test whether the morphological determinants of jumping performance are similar in the two sexes and whether jumping performance differs in the two sexes. Finally we test whether jumping capacity is positively associated with burst swimming and terrestrial endurance capacity in both sexes. Our results show sex-specific differences in jumping pe

SUBMITTER: Herrel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4226644 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature