Dissertation Research: The Role of Adaptation in Structuring Communities: A Study of Larval Anuran Communities

这个项目旨在了解不同种类的青蛙是如何适应环境的进化史。目前在不同类型的池塘中发现了不同种类的青蛙：有鱼的永久池塘，没有鱼的永久池塘，每年干涸的春季池塘。三个蛙科（蟾蜍科、真蛙科、树蛙科）密切相关的物种在这些池塘类型中分离。例如，绿蛙和牛蛙从一个共同的祖先进化而来，但是绿蛙只在没有鱼的池塘里发现，而牛蛙主要在有鱼的池塘里发现。先前的研究表明，不同的捕食者和对食物的竞争导致了物种的隔离。通过量化与蝌蚪躲避捕食者和与其他物种竞争的能力相关的特征，该项目将确定哪些特征对成功栖息于每种池塘类型至关重要。研究这些特征、池塘类型和物种进化史之间的关系，也将揭示适应（获得在新栖息地增加生存能力的特征）在形成当今青蛙动物群中的作用。这个项目对于进一步了解影响物种利用新栖息地能力的因素非常重要。

McPeek 9700877 This project is designed to understand the evolutionary history of how different groups of frogs have adapted to their environment. Different species of frogs are presently found in different types of ponds: permanent ponds with fish, permanent ponds without fish, vernal ponds that dry yearly. Closely related species in three frog families (toads (Bufonidae), true frogs (Ranidae), tree frogs (Hylidae)) segregate among these pond types. For example, the green frog and the bullfrog evolved from a common ancestor, yet green frogs are found only in ponds without fish, and bullfrogs are found primarily in ponds with fish. Previous research has revealed that different predators and competition for food cause this segregation of species. By quantifying traits related to how well tadpoles evade predators and compete with other species, this project will determine which traits are essential for successfully inhabiting each pond type. Study of the relationships between these traits, pond type and the evolutionary history of species, will also reveal the role of adaptation (acquiring traits that increase survivorship in a new habitat) in forming the present-day frog fauna. This project is important to furthering our understanding of factors that influence the ability of species to utilize a new habitat.