Widespread disruptive selection in the wild is associated with intense resource competition

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  • Martin, Ryan A
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology
    • Other Affiliation: Department of Biology, North Carolina State University
  • Pfennig, David William
    • Affiliation: College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Biology
Abstract
  • Background: Disruptive selection has been documented in a growing number of natural populations. Yet, its prevalence within individual systems remains unclear. Furthermore, few studies have sought to identify the ecological factors that promote disruptive selection in the wild. To address these issues, we surveyed 15 populations of Mexican spadefoot toad tadpoles, Spea multiplicata, and measured the prevalence of disruptive selection acting on resource-use phenotypes. We also evaluated the relationship between the strength of disruptive selection and the intensity of intraspecific competition--an ecological agent hypothesized to be an important driver of disruptive selection. Results: Disruptive selection was the predominant mode of quadratic selection across all populations. However, a directional component of selection favoring an extreme ecomorph -- a distinctive carnivore morph -- was also common. Disruptive selection was strongest in populations experiencing the most intense intraspecific competition, whereas stabilizing selection was only found in populations experiencing relatively weak intraspecific competition. Conclusions: Disruptive selection can be common in natural populations. Intraspecific competition for resources may be a key driver of such selection.
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  • Article
Rights statement
  • In Copyright
Rights holder
  • Ryan A Martin et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
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Journal title
  • BMC Evolutionary Biology
Journal volume
  • 12
Journal issue
  • 1
Page start
  • 136
Language
  • English
Is the article or chapter peer-reviewed?
  • Yes
ISSN
  • 1471-2148
Bibliographic citation
  • BMC Evolutionary Biology. 2012 Aug 02;12(1):136
Publisher
  • BioMed Central Ltd
Access right
  • Open Access
Date uploaded
  • September 3, 2012

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