Authors
Juan C Santos, David C Cannatella
Publication date
2011/4/12
Journal
Proceedings of the national academy of sciences
Volume
108
Issue
15
Pages
6175-6180
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences
Description
Complex phenotypes can be modeled as networks of component traits connected by genetic, developmental, or functional interactions. Aposematism, which has evolved multiple times in poison frogs (Dendrobatidae), links a warning signal to a chemical defense against predators. Other traits are involved in this complex phenotype. Most aposematic poison frogs are ant specialists, from which they sequester defensive alkaloids. We found that aposematic species have greater aerobic capacity, also related to diet specialization. To characterize the aposematic trait network more fully, we analyzed phylogenetic correlations among its hypothesized components: conspicuousness, chemical defense, diet specialization, body mass, active and resting metabolic rates, and aerobic scope. Conspicuous coloration was correlated with all components except resting metabolism. Structural equation modeling on the basis of trait …
Total citations
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Scholar articles
JC Santos, DC Cannatella - Proceedings of the national academy of sciences, 2011