Ecological contributions to body shape evolution in salamanders of the genus Eurycea (Plethodontidae).

ABSTRACT:

Background

Body shape can be both a consequence and cause of a species' evolution and ecology. There are many examples of phenotypes associated with specific ecological niches, likely as a result of specific selective regimes. A classic example of this is the phenotypic change associated with colonization of caves, including body and limb elongation. However, studies explicitly testing for differences in body shape between cave-dwelling and non-cave-dwelling lineages have been limited and so the role of the cave environment in determining morphological characteristics is still not completely understood. Here we examine variation in body shape among 405 individuals representing 20 species in the salamander genus Eurycea (Plethodontidae) and select outgroups exhibiting great diversit

SUBMITTER: Edgington HA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6519905 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature