Coevolution of life history traits and morphology in female subterranean amphipods

摘要: Subterranean species show a distinct morphology, yet the adaptive significance of some traits, like body size and shape, is poorly understood cannot be explained solely by environmental conditions (darkness, less food). We predicted that in females morphological changes may have co-evolved with life history co-evolving traits provide at least part explanation for evolutionary morphology. Using museum material we tested this prediction on subterranean amphipod genus Niphargus. studied six found springs eight cave lakes. treated them as two ecologically groups, major ecological differences between were availability nutrients water currents. Cave to larger stouter (as inferred from shape coxal plates, which are marsupium), they had eggs lower reproductive effort per brood, whereas egg number brood volume if corrected not different. phylogenetic independent contrasts, positive correlation volume, negative brood. tentatively conclude evolutions morphology histories functionally connected contribute overall selective regime.