Extensive geographical variation in testes size and ejaculate traits in a terrestrial-breeding frog.

ABSTRACT: Ejaculate traits vary extensively among individuals and species, but little is known about their variation among populations of the same species. Here, we investigated patterns of intraspecific variation in male reproductive investment in the terrestrial-breeding frog Pseudophryne guentheri. Like most anurans, breeding activity in P. guentheri is cued by precipitation, and therefore the timing and duration of breeding seasons differ among geographically separated populations, potentially leading to differences in the level of sperm competition. We, therefore, anticipated local adaptation in sperm traits that reflect these phenological differences among populations. Our analysis of six natural populations across a rainfall gradient revealed significant divergence in testes and

SUBMITTER: Rudin-Bitterli TS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7532705 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature