Evol Ecol Res 3: 107-116 (2001)     Full PDF if your library subscribes.

Hybridization in leopard frogs (Rana pipiens complex): Variation in interspecific hybrid larval fitness components along a natural contact zone

Matthew J. Parris*

Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211-7400, USA

Address all correspondence to Matthew J. Parris, Department of Biology, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38152, USA.

ABSTRACT

Although hybrid zones between North American leopard frog species pairs (Rana pipiens complex) are usually narrow, the contact zone between R. blairi and R. sphenocephala varies from sharp parapatry to relatively broad sympatry. I compared fitness components using larval life-history traits for R. blairi, R. sphenocephala and F1 hybrid genotypes from Texas populations where the hybrid zone is sharply parapatric, and genotypes from Missouri populations where hybridization occurs in broadly sympatric areas. Texas F1 hybrids had significantly reduced survival and metamorphosis relative to Missouri F1 hybrids. Texas hybrids also demonstrated reduced performance in terms of survival, body mass and metamorphosis when reared in experimental populations with R. sphenocephala or both parental species, but not R. blairi alone. Larval fitness estimates as measured by survival, body mass at metamorphosis, proportion of survivors metamorphosing and length of larval period for Missouri F1 hybrids were equal or higher than those of their parental genotypes in all mixtures. These patterns suggest selection may be dependent on the larval rearing environment and strongest against hybrid genotypes in the southern region of the hybrid zone (Texas), but not directional against F1 hybrids in the northern region (Missouri). Thus, fitness data from a single location within hybrid zones may lead to inaccurate conclusions concerning the evolutionary potential of hybridization.

Keywords: amphibian larvae, endogenous selection, exogenous selection, fitness, geographic variation, hybridization, Rana.

DOWNLOAD A FREE, FULL PDF COPY
IF you are connected using the IP of a subscribing institution (library, laboratory, etc.)
or through its VPN.

 

        © 2001 Matthew J. Parris. 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.

       Subscribing institutions/libraries may grant individuals the privilege of making a single copy of an EER article for non-commercial educational or non-commercial research purposes. Subscribing institutions/libraries may also use articles for non-commercial educational purposes by making any number of copies for course packs or course reserve collections. Subscribing institutions/libraries may also loan single copies of articles to non-commercial libraries for educational purposes.

       All copies of abstracts and articles must preserve their copyright notice without modification.