A Comparative Test of the Adaptive Plasticity Hypothesis: Relationships between Habitat and Phenotype in Anuran Larvae

摘要: Abstract: The hypothesis that phenotypic plasticity is maintained by divergent natural selection acting across different environments predicts populations and species exposed to highly variable will express high levels of plasticity. I tested this prediction measuring the behavioral morphological responses aeshnid dragonfly larvae 16 tadpole asking whether predator‐induced greater in experience more densities predators nature. Tadpole phenotypes were measured a series similar experiments outdoor artificial ponds carried out over 9‐yr period. quantified habitats soliciting evaluations seven 36 experienced field observers for each species. There large differences among phenotype, mostly agreement with earlier descriptions. Nearly all responded dragonflies decreasing activity body length relative overall size increasing tail fin depth,...