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Differences in the Phenotypic Mean and Variance Between Two Geographically Separated Populations of Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus)

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Abstract

Intraspecific phenotypic variation between populations separated by large geographic distances is common. Differences in the mean and variance of traits among populations can be used to infer the relative strength, direction, and type of selection on traits. Patterns in the mean provide information on the type of selection, and patterns in variance provide information on the strength of selection. However, interpretation of mean/variance patterns is difficult when two traits are linked and strongly correlated to fitness because it is unlikely that each trait will reach phenotypic optima. In amphibians time to metamorphosis and size at metamorphosis are positively related both phenotypically and genetically. Using a common-garden experiment we investigated whether selection favours shorter time to metamorphosis or increased mass at metamorphosis between two populations which differ in the length of the post-metamorphic growing season by 2–4 weeks. Animals from the population a shorter growing season took longer to reach and metamorphosed at a greater mass, while animals from the population with a longer period for post metamorphic growth reached metamorphosis faster, but at a smaller mass. Greater phenotypic variance was observed in both traits in the population with the shorter growing season. These data suggest that animals from the population with a restricted growth period maximise mass at metamorphosis at the expense of longer larval periods while animals from population with the longer post-metamorphic growth period sacrifice mass at metamorphosis to shorten the larval period and maximise larval survival. Differences in phenotypic variance among populations suggest either directional or diversifying selection has acted on both traits.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Ashley Carpenter, Matt Costello and Brodie Reinhart for their assistance with portions of the field and laboratory work. The project would not have been possible without access to CFB Gagetown provided by the Department of Defence. Funding was provided by a NSERC-SGP, the Canadian Department of Defence (CFB Gagetown), the University of New Brunswick and the Canadian Forest Service (Natural Resources Canada). Animals handling procedures were approved by the University of New Brunswick Animals Care Committee, protocol number 11-2C-06A1.

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  1. Biology Department, University of New Brunswick, 100 Tucker Park Rd, Saint John, NB, E2L 4L5, Canada

    Christopher B. Edge & Jeff E. Houlahan

  2. Great Lakes Forestry Center, Canadian Forest Service, Sault Ste. Marie, ON, P6A 2E5, Canada

    Dean G. Thompson

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  1. Christopher B. Edge
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Correspondence to Christopher B. Edge.

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Edge, C.B., Thompson, D.G. & Houlahan, J.E. Differences in the Phenotypic Mean and Variance Between Two Geographically Separated Populations of Wood Frog (Lithobates sylvaticus). Evol Biol 40, 276–287 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11692-012-9208-1

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