Time and Size at Metamorphosis Related to Adult Fitness in Ambystoma Talpoideum

• Published in: Ecology (Durham) Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 184 - 192
• Main Authors: Semlitsch, Raymond D., Scott, David E., Joseph H. K. Pechmann
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC Ecological Society of America 01-02-1988; The Ecological Society of America; Brooklyn Botanic Garden, etc
• Subjects: Age; Ambystoma talpoideum; Amphibians; Biological and medical sciences; Body size; Development. Metamorphosis. Moult. Ageing; Drying; Female animals; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Larvae; Larval development; Metamorphosis; Ponds; Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems; Young animals; United States; Caudata; Amphibia; North America; South Carolina; Freshwater environment; Vertebrata; Reproduction; Pond; Body size; America; Development; Population dynamics; Metamorphosis; Fitness
• ISSN: 0012-9658; 1939-9170
• DOI: 10.2307/1943173

The relationships among timing of metamorphosis, size at metamorphosis, and traits related to adult fitness were studied for 8 yr in the salamander Ambystoma talpoideum at a temporary pond. Among years, the modal time of metamorphosis and mean body size at metamorphosis were positively correlated with the date the pond dried. In years that the pond dried late, one group of larvae metamorphosed well before the pond dried, whereas the other group metamorphosed just before pond drying. Mean body size of late—metamorphosing individuals was not greater than that of individuals metamorphosing early. Early—metamorphosing males and females were larger at first and second reproduction than were late—metamorphosing individuals. Independent of timing of metamorphosis, larger juveniles at metamorphosis were also larger adults at first reproduction. Age at first reproduction for males was not associated with timing of or size at metamorphosis but large early—metamorphosing females reproduced at a younger age than did small early—metamorphosing females. Neither time of metamorphosis nor size at metamorphosis was associated with survival to first reproduction. These results demonstrate a direct relationship between phenotypic variation generated in the larval stage and adult traits closely associated with an individual's fitness.