TESTING PATTERN PREDICTIONS OF SEXUAL SELECTION: A FROG EXAMPLE

摘要: Some Southeast Asian species of the genus Rana possess an unusual suite secondary sexual characteristics: fangs, hypertrophied jaw muscles, enlarged heads, and males larger than females. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that these frogs form a monophyletic group. Historical transformation comparative performance tests suggest this functional complex evolved as result selection. Patterns dimorphism within clade were used to test series predictions from selection literature. As predicted, closely related differed most in their characteristics is likely produce novelties. Contrary predictions, more derived taxa did not show greater degree dimorphism, increase with body size, evolution new precede therefore contribute loss old characteristics.