A model for optimal reaction norms: the case of the pregnant garter snake and her temperature-sensitive embryos

The American Naturalist
S J Arnold, Charles R Peterson

Abstract

We present a model to test Osgood's ( 1978 ) proposition that viviparous snakes have optimal reaction norms for temperature-sensitive meristic traits, such as scale counts. Our model predicts that traits that are subject to temperature effects during development will evolve a flat or [Formula: see text]-shaped reaction norm (average scale count as a function of developmental temperature). We tested this prediction by maintaining 67 female garter snakes (Thamnophis elegans) at eight different constant temperatures (21 degrees -33 degrees C) during pregnancy and making a series of scale counts on their newborn offspring (n = 491). To insure that the experimental temperatures were ecologically relevant, we used automated radiotelemetry to record the body temperature of pregnant, free-ranging females. The resulting temperature data allowed us to test the prediction that the inflection points of reaction norms would correspond to the average temperature experienced by embryos in the field. In line with predictions of the Osgood model, reaction norms were flat or U-shaped. In the case of U-shaped reaction norms, the inflection point of the curves corresponded to the average temperature imposed on embryos by free-ranging females. In c...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 7, 2012·Integrative and Comparative Biology·Harold HeatwoleHelene Marsh
Jan 16, 2008·The American Naturalist·Paul A Hohenlohe, Stevan J Arnold
Sep 26, 2015·Experimental Gerontology·Tonia S SchwartzAnne M Bronikowski
Jan 13, 2006·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Tracy Langkilde, Richard Shine
Mar 6, 2004·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·J R StinchcombeJ Schmitt
Jun 23, 2007·Journal of Evolutionary Biology·J R St Juliana, F J Janzen
Mar 30, 2006·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Jonathan K WebbKeith A Christian
Jul 29, 2010·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·John R StinchcombeJohanna Schmitt
May 12, 2010·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Brittany S BarkerStevan J Arnold
Sep 20, 2012·Molecular Ecology·Tonia S Schwartz, Anne M Bronikowski
Dec 3, 2011·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·Christopher E OufieroTheodore Garland
Jan 25, 2005·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part A, Molecular & Integrative Physiology·Christopher T Winne, Michael B Keck
Jun 6, 2018·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Timothy S MitchellDaniel A Warner
Jun 14, 2003·Proceedings. Biological Sciences·Richard Shine
Mar 20, 2019·Evolution & Development·Andran AbramjanDaniel Frynta
Mar 21, 2019·Ecology and Evolution·Brooke L BodensteinerFredric J Janzen
Sep 25, 2020·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Brooke L BodensteinerEric J Gangloff
May 4, 2017·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Daniel W A NobleLisa E Schwanz
Mar 19, 2020·PeerJ·Javier ManjarrezHugh Drummond
Jan 23, 2018·Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Ecological and Integrative Physiology·Sean P GrahamMary T Mendonça
Aug 6, 2021·The Journal of Heredity·Eric J GangloffAnne M Bronikowski

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