Age and size at metamorphosis of Salamandra infraimmaculata larvae born in the laboratory and raised under different density regimes with food ad libitum

作者：Warburg Michael R^*

来源：Salamandra, 2012, 48(3): 157-165.

• Caudata
• larval cohorts
• density effects
• metamorphosis

Age and size at metamorphosis were studied in two half-sibling Salamandra infraimmaculata larval cohorts born and raised in the laboratory under three different density regimes, and fed ad libitum until they metamorphosed. There was no significant effect of density on the number of larvae metamorphosing. In the two cohorts studied, a significant positive relationship was observed with age at metamorphosis that increased with density, and a significant negative relationship between mass and density. In both cohorts, density did not appear to have an effect on either minimal or maximal age, mass or length at metamorphosis, nor on the range between maximum and minimum. There was no significant difference between the two cohorts in either age or length at metamorphosis. The difference in mass increased with density. The evolutionary significance of density effects on size (mass, length) and age at metamorphosis under unlimited resource (food) conditions, is by spreading out emergence of post-metamorphs onto land and their subsequent dispersal, and by affecting their size as adults and thereby their eventual maturity.

• 出版日期2012-10-30