Evol Ecol Res 11: 817-825 (2009)     Full PDF if your library subscribes.

Non-adaptive strategies explain variation in rate of development under different thermal conditions

Guillermo Folguera, Tamara P. Catalán and Francisco Bozinovic

Center for Advanced Studies in Ecology and Biodiversity (CASEB), LINC-Global and Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

Correspondence: F. Bozinovic, Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas, P. Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 6513677, Chile.
e-mail: fbozinovic@bio.puc.cl

ABSTRACT

Objective: To test for an effect of isomorphy on development rate under different experimental thermal environments.

Methods: In three different thermal environments, we studied the following characters as response variables during development: metabolic rate, body mass, and body length. We used as our study model the terrestrial isopod Armadillidium vulgare during the first 14 weeks of development.

Conclusions: Our results suggest that although metabolic rate and body mass may depend on the internal state of individuals, body length may present an isomorphic response. This would be evidence that a non-adaptive interpretation could explain developmental patterns and thus highlight the importance of avoiding the frequent use of unsupported adaptive explanations in evolutionary ecology.

Keywords: adaptation, Armadillidium vulgare, development, isomorphy.

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        © 2009 Francisco Bozinovic. All EER articles are copyrighted by their authors. All authors endorse, permit and license Evolutionary Ecology Ltd. to grant its subscribing institutions/libraries the copying privileges specified below without additional consideration or payment to them or to Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. These endorsements, in writing, are on file in the office of Evolutionary Ecology, Ltd. Consult authors for permission to use any portion of their work in derivative works, compilations or to distribute their work in any commercial manner.

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