Carpal variability and asymmetry in limb reduced Western lesser sirens (Siren nettingi)

Abstract

Trait functionality can act as a constraint on morphological development. Traits that become vestigialized can exhibit unstable developmental patterns such as fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and variation in populations. We use clearing and staining along with morphometric analyzes to compare FA and allometry of limbs in Western lesser sirens (Siren nettingi) to Ouachita dusky salamanders (Desmognathus brimleyorum). Our results describe new carpal phenotypes and carpal asymmetry in our sample of S. nettingi. However, we found no significant evidence of limb length asymmetry in S. nettingi. The degree of relative limb asymmetry correlates inversely with body size in both of our samples. This work provides strong evidence of increased mesopodal variation within a population of S. nettingi. Our work provides a basis for further study of a broader range of morphological traits across salamanders.