scholarly journals Reproductive isolation related to mimetic divergence in the poison frog Ranitomeya imitator

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Twomey ◽  
Jacob S. Vestergaard ◽  
Kyle Summers
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Poison Frog ◽  
Ranitomeya Imitator

Mimetic Divergence and the Speciation Continuum in the Mimic Poison Frog Ranitomeya imitator

2016 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-224 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Twomey ◽  
Jacob S. Vestergaard ◽  
Pablo J. Venegas ◽  
Kyle Summers
Keyword(s):  
Poison Frog ◽  
Ranitomeya Imitator ◽  
Speciation Continuum

scholarly journals Testing for selection on color and pattern in a mimetic radiation

2012 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 668-676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin Yeager ◽  
Jason L. Brown ◽  
Victor Morales ◽  
Molly Cummings ◽  
Kyle Summers
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Divergence ◽  
Spectral Reflectance ◽  
Color Pattern ◽  
Mtdna Sequences ◽  
Poison Frog ◽  
Neutral Drift ◽  
Phenotypic Divergence ◽  
Ranitomeya Imitator ◽  
D Loop ◽  
Testing For Selection

Abstract In this paper, we analyze variation in spectral reflectance and color pattern among populations to demonstrate dramatic divergence between four distinct morphs of the mimic poison frog Ranitomeya imitator. We also analyze genetic divergence in d-loop mtDNA sequences between populations. We then use coalescent-based simulations to demonstrate that the high levels of observed phenotypic divergence are not consistent with levels of genetic divergence expected under neutral drift among populations, implying an important role for selection in driving divergence between these populations.

Male–male contest limits the expression of assortative mate preferences in a polymorphic poison frog

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yusan Yang ◽  
Corinne L Richards-Zawacki
Keyword(s):  
Mate Choice ◽  
Reproductive Isolation ◽  
Intrasexual Competition ◽  
Mate Preferences ◽  
Male Competition ◽  
Local Color ◽  
Poison Frog ◽  
Oophaga Pumilio ◽  
Female Preferences ◽  
Male Territoriality

Abstract Codivergence of sexual traits and mate preferences can lead to assortative mating and subsequently reproductive isolation. However, mate choice rarely operates without intrasexual competition, and the effects of the latter on speciation are often overlooked. Maintaining trait polymorphisms despite gene flow and limiting assortative female preferences for less-competitive male phenotypes are two important roles that male–male competition may play in the speciation process. Both roles rely on the assumption that male–male competition limits the expression of divergent female preferences. We tested this assumption in the highly color-polymorphic strawberry poison frog (Oophaga pumilio). Females prefer males of the local color, suggesting that reproductive isolation may be evolving among color morphs. However, this inference does not account for male–male competition, which is also color-mediated. We housed females with two differently colored males, and compared reproductive patterns when the more attractive male was the territory holder versus when he was the nonterritorial male. Females mated primarily with the territory winner, regardless of coloration, suggesting that when a choice must be made between the two, male territoriality overrides female preferences for male coloration. Our results highlight the importance of considering the combined effects of mate choice and intrasexual competition in shaping phenotypic divergence and speciation.

scholarly journals Alkaloid avoidance in poison frog tadpoles

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenia Sanchez ◽  
Travis Ramirez ◽  
Lauren A O'Connell
Keyword(s):  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Secondary Metabolites ◽  
Feeding Behavior ◽  
Chemical Defense ◽  
Poison Frog ◽  
Poison Frogs ◽  
Frog Tadpoles ◽  
Ranitomeya Imitator

Animals show a spectrum of avoidance-tolerance to foods containing toxic secondary metabolites. However, this spectrum has not been evaluated in animals that may actively seek out these compounds as a chemical defense. Poison frogs sequester toxic and unpalatable alkaloids from their diet, and in some species, tadpoles are exposed to these toxins before the development of their skin granular glands, which are used for toxin compartmentalization. Here, we examined the effects of the alkaloid decahydroquinoline (DHQ) in tadpoles of the Mimetic poison frog, Ranitomeya imitator, using alkaloid supplemented food. We found that although their survival is lowered by the alkaloid, their development is only mildly affected, with no evident effects on their growth. Furthermore, locomotor activity and feeding behavior was altered in the first week of DHQ treatment, probably in part through nicotinic blockade. However, after two weeks, tadpoles learned to avoid the alkaloid by visiting the food area only when necessary to eat. Our results suggest that poison frogs navigate the avoidance-tolerance spectrum during the development of their sequestration machinery.

Who cares for the eggs? Analysis of egg attendance behaviour in Ranitomeya imitator, a poison frog with biparental care

Behaviour ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Schulte ◽  
Kyle Summers
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Biparental Care ◽  
Poison Frog ◽  
Poison Frogs ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Ranitomeya Imitator ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
General Care

Abstract Dendrobatid poison frogs are known for their diverse parental care behaviours, including terrestrial egg attendance. While usually this behaviour is conducted by males, this study compared the pre-hatching investment of males and females in Ranitomeya imitator, a species with biparental care. Although males tended to spend more time with their eggs overall, there was no difference between sexes when comparing different types of care behaviour. Furthermore, both sexes increased general care behaviour when caring for more than one clutch. The finding that the sexes are relatively equal in their contribution to basic parental care forms provides a basis to understand why biparental care is stable in this species.

scholarly journals Intraspecific Call Variation in the Mimic Poison Frog Ranitomeya imitator

Herpetologica ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 71 (4) ◽  
pp. 252-259 ◽  
Author(s):  
Evan Twomey ◽  
Michael Mayer ◽  
Kyle Summers
Keyword(s):  
Poison Frog ◽  
Ranitomeya Imitator
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