Abstract
Phenotypic polymorphisms are common in nature, but the mechanism through which natural selection maintains them can be difficult to identify. Heterozygote advantage, negative frequency-dependent selection, and variation in selective environment each can explain polymorphisms in some systems. Although first observed nearly 100 years ago, the egg mass color polymorphism in the spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) still is not well understood. Females of this species lay egg masses with either clear or white jelly. White egg masses are preyed upon less than clear egg masses in some environments, suggesting an advantage to white masses, whereas an advantage to clear masses has not been identified. We propose that embryos in clear masses have an advantage in some light environments, mediated by the symbiotic green alga, Oophila amblystomatis, that grows in the egg capsules. The transparent jelly of clear masses may allow for greater algal growth, which could have cascading effects on embryonic development and larval performance. We asked whether larvae from clear and white masses differ in performance or survivorship and, if so, whether this difference is mediated by differences in algal density. We paired clear and white masses in a pond during the embryonic period and quantified egg capsule algal density at hatching. A portion of the larvae were subject to swim trials and were measured for size and shape. The remaining larvae were placed in mesocosms to quantify survival in the presence and absence of newt predators. There was no difference in algal density between membranes of clear and white masses. Similarly, there were no differences in larval performance, morphology, or survivorship between morphs. Our data do not support our hypothesis that variation in predator density and light availability among microhabitats could maintain the two phenotypes within populations.
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Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analyzed during the current study are available in the Dryad Digital Repository, https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.69p8cz8xq.
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Acknowledgements
The authors express their appreciation of Megan Kline, Ruvim But-Gusaim, Jacob Boone, Dr. James Perkins, and Dr. Graham Reynolds for assistance in data collection, data analysis, and presentation of findings. The authors also thank Dr. Ryan Kerney and an anonymous reviewer for detailed feedback on the manuscript. This research was conducted with permission of the University of North Carolina Asheville Endowment Fund Board, which owns the study site at Sandy Bottom Preserve, and with a Wildlife Collection License from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. This project was funded by the UNC Asheville Undergraduate Research Program awarded to M. D’Errico (Spring 2018).
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Data were collected by MD, with assistance from CK and RH. Data were analyzed by RH. MD prepared the first manuscript draft, which was revised by CK and RH. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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The research followed the guidelines of the NSF for responsible and ethical conduct of research, and of the Animal Welfare Act, with approval of the UNC Asheville Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee. The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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D’Errico, M., Kennedy, C. & Hale, R.E. Egg mass polymorphism in Ambystoma maculatum is not associated with larval performance or survival, or with cell density of the algal symbiont Oophila amblystomatis. Evol Ecol 34, 981–997 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-020-10083-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10682-020-10083-9