Sex differences in morphology across an expanding range edge in the flightless ground beetle, Carabus hortensis.

ABSTRACT: Species' ranges are dynamic, changing through range shifts, contractions, and expansions. Individuals at the edge of a species' shifting range often possess morphological traits that increase movement capacity, that are not observed in individuals farther back within the species' range. Although morphological traits that increase in proportion toward the range edge may differ between the sexes, such sex differences are rarely studied.Here, we test the hypotheses that body size and condition increase with proximity to an expanding range edge in the flightless ground beetle, Carabus hortensis, and that these trait changes differ between the sexes.Male, but not female, body size increased with proximity to the range edge. Body size was positively correlated with male front and mid tibi

SUBMITTER: Yarwood E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8328432 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature