Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research最新文献

{"title":"Biodiversity modelling reveals a significant gap between diversity hotspots and protected areas for Iranian reptiles","authors":"Sajad Noori,&nbsp;Oliver Hawlitschek,&nbsp;Jens Oldeland,&nbsp;Hossein Rajaei,&nbsp;Martin Husemann,&nbsp;Marianna Simões","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12528","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzs.12528","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The global struggle to conserve as many species as possible with limited resources requires an improvement of our knowledge on the distribution of biodiversity. In Iran, the state of knowledge is poor for most groups of organisms, except few vertebrate groups and vascular plants. Reptiles are one of the best known, most diverse vertebrate groups in Iran, with a high rate of endemism (ca. 29%), but distribution patterns and related environmental drivers remain poorly understood. In the present study, based on a large publicly available dataset, we use general additive modelling (GAM) to identify explanatory variables for species richness of reptiles in Iran. Results indicate heterogeneity parameters (range +entropy) as the variables with the highest explanatory values. Based on the grid cells of the predicted environmental richness, using hotspot analysis, we suggest seven hotspots of reptile diversity (HRDs) across the country. Our results corroborate the previously recognized HRDs and detect three additional ones, located alongside the major mountain ranges around the central deserts plateau, particularly in the Zagros Mountains. Four of the largest HRDs (ca. 90%) situate within the Irano-Anatolian and Caucasus global biodiversity hotspot. In addition, our results reveal a large gap between identified HRDs and the current network of protected areas (PAs) in the country. While three of the detected HRDs in this study are partially touched (ca. 18%) by the PA network, overall, these areas are only covered by less than 10%. Therefore, the effectiveness of the current PAs for the protection of the reptile diversity of Iran is questionable.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jzs.12528","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42507282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An integrative approach uncovered variation within Trapelus ruderatus (Olivier, 1804) (Squamata: Agamidae) in Western Asia","authors":"Fariba Yousefabadi,&nbsp;Eskandar Rastegar Pouyani,&nbsp;Alireza Keikhosravi,&nbsp;Nasrullah Rastegar Pouyani,&nbsp;Aziz Avcı,&nbsp;Nazan Üzüm,&nbsp;Kurtuluş Olgun,&nbsp;Yusuf Kumlutaş,&nbsp;Petros Lymberakis,&nbsp;Çetin Ilgaz,&nbsp;Seyyed Saeed Hosseinian Yousefkhani","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12557","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzs.12557","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The Agamid lizard <i>Trapelus ruderatus</i> has a large distribution in western Asia. There is as yet neither a comprehensive molecular phylogeny nor morphological variation studies on populations of this species. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the morphology and genetic attributes of this species from populations in Iran, Turkey, Syria, and Iraq. For the morphological examination, 18 characters (nine metric, eight meristic, and one ratio characters) were examined on all specimens. The populations were divided into four Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs; three in Iran and one in Turkey). The Iraqi population was distinguished as <i>Trapelus persicus</i> by morphological characters. Morphological analyses confirmed that all OTUs could be considered as distinct and that the Turkey population is clearly separated from the Iranian populations. In the genetic component of the project, two mitochondrial (<i>Cytb</i> and <i>ND2</i>) gene fragments were used to reveal phylogenetic relationships among the populations. Molecular phylogenetic reconstruction showed five distinct clades (three in Iran, one in southeastern Turkey, and one in central-southern Turkey–western Syria). Iraqi populations clustered with <i>T. persicus</i>, with high genetic distances from all other populations, as seen using morphological data. Based on the molecular genetic analyses, southeastern Turkey and central-southern Turkey-Syrian populations are clearly distinct (8.4% mean distance) and far from the type population in Iran. This suggests that they should be considered as different taxa. Iranian populations were differentiated into three major groups, the type population in Fars Province and two others in northwest and western Iran. The morphological and molecular genetic results gave a similar output with three Iranian populations having minor divergence, but being clearly separated from the population in Turkey. We suggest each of these groups should be considered as full species. According to divergence time estimation, <i>T</i>. <i>ruderatus</i> firstly diverged at 26.5 mya and subsequently diversified due to the uplifting of the Zagros Mountains and Anatolian Diagonal 15 mya. Subsequent aridification in the Central Iranian Plateau could also have contributed to the divergence of the Fars lineage 9.6 mya.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47709555","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evidence for introgressive hybridization of wild black-necked pheasant with the exotic ring-necked pheasant during the past 50 years in the Hyrcanian zone, an integrative molecular and morphological approach","authors":"Zohreh Aliakbari,&nbsp;Nasrin Kayvanfar,&nbsp;Hassan Rajabi-Maham,&nbsp;Seyed Mahmoud Ghasempouri","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12548","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzs.12548","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Hybridization with non-native-related taxa, especially with introgression, is a major conservation problem, as it may disturb local adaptations, resulting in population decline and biodiversity loss. It is important to identify hybrid individuals, which can be difficult to break up morphologically. Using morphometric and genetic approaches [multivariate analysis, microsatellites, and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP)], this research attempts to classify the interaction and the prevalence of introgressive hybridization in four native pheasant subspecies of <i>Phasianus</i> <i>colchicus</i> with non-native <i>P. c</i>. <i>torquatus</i>. According to principal component analysis and canonical discriminant function results, hybrid individuals are placed between these two major groups of native and exotic birds. Also, we assessed the population structure, genetic variation, and gene flow between native subspecies and exotic pheasants using 16 microsatellite loci in 129 samples. Our findings revealed that hybridization occurred between two native subspecies, <i>P. c. talischensis and P. c. persicus</i>, and exotic subspecies (<i>P. c. torquatus</i>). Observation of hybrids in <i>P. c. persicus</i> were almost three times higher than <i>P. c. talischensis</i>. The levels of the genetic variation within and among the natural populations were investigated using the AFLP markers method to identify hybrids. A total of 202 distinct bands were amplified using four primer combinations, with 179 of them being polymorphic. AMOVA analysis revealed a low degree of genetic differentiation among the populations. The hybrid samples were closely related to the <i>P. c. talischensis</i> and <i>P. c. persicus</i> populations, according to the UPGMA clusters and discriminant analysis of principal components. It appears that disruption of gene flow between pheasant populations in the Hyrcanian zone is a serious issue. The data from molecular markers prompted us to raise a concern about the genetic integrity in some native subspecies in the Iranian plateau. As a result, a clear cut-level can now be used to differentiate the hybrids, which is also supported by morphological evidence. A direct relationship was found between farmed pheasants and hybrid frequency. Farmed individuals should be closely monitored, and non-native taxa should not be released into the wild.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46870413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparative phylogeography of two bat species and their mites in Iran shows impact of host sociality and vagility on population structure","authors":"Shetav Yousefi,&nbsp;Mozafar Sharifi,&nbsp;Jan Štefka","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12559","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/jzs.12559","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Parasite species lacking a free-living stage rely on their hosts for dispersal. Their population genetic structure depends on the host's vagility and dispersal rate. To gain more insight into the drivers responsible for shaping the spatio-temporal population structure in host–parasite systems, we used mitochondrial DNA sequences to compare patterns of genetic diversity in two closely related and contact-transmitted parasitic wing mites <i>Spinturnix psi</i> and <i>S</i>. <i>myoti</i> with their bat hosts <i>Miniopterus pallidus</i> and <i>Myotis</i> <i>blythii</i>, respectively, across vast distances in Iran. We observed almost no genetic differentiation between mites living on bats in different colonies even from distant locations, whereas we found some level of genetic differentiation and isolation by distance in each host species, particularly in the less vagrant <i>M</i>. <i>blythii</i>. Despite Iran's high spatial divergence and long distance between the sampled locations, local genetic diversity and inter-population gene flow in the parasites were high, even between different sides of the Zagros and Alborz Mountains. The genetic similarity that was observed among mite populations likely reflects genetic exchanges between colonies at swarming places of bats, as well as the possible occupation of other host species, resulting in a higher effective population size and more dispersal opportunities for the mites.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-11-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138154175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A synthesis on troglobitic springtails in Europe","authors":"Cristina Fiera,&nbsp;Javier I. Arbea,&nbsp;Robert S. Vargovitsh,&nbsp;Shalva Barjadze","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12560","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzs.12560","url":null,"abstract":"<p>This paper provides an overview on troglobitic springtails found in European caves, including a checklist at species level. The paper also reviews what is currently known about Collembola, which occur in caves of the most important mountain ranges in Europe. Only troglobitic species were included since many troglophiles were of uncertain ecological status. A total of 338 troglobitic species of Collembola is recorded from European caves, distributed across 12 families. Spain and France appear to host the highest richness of species, including endemics. From a biogeographic perspective, troglobitic species are unevenly distributed in Europe, especially in the most important mountain ranges, like the Alps, the Carpathians, the Pyrenees, the Caucasus, and other European mountains. Troglobitic springtails are far more abundant in temperate zones than in the tropics. Despite this, several genera of Collembola appear to be well represented, while some are poorly represented (or lacking) in European caves. Many advances in knowledge of subterranean springtails have been made, particularly in the description of new species. However, there are still major gaps in the knowledge of the biology, environmental requirements, and impacts on subterranean fauna. This paper highlights the need for further research and provides baseline data for such efforts.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46564443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reproductive organs and spermatogenesis of the peculiar spermatozoa of the genus Kryptodasys (Gastrotricha, Macrodasyida), with an appraisal of the occurrence and origin of the tail-less spermatozoa in Gastrotricha","authors":"Loretta Guidi,&nbsp;Maria Balsamo,&nbsp;Marco Ferraguti,&nbsp;M. Antonio Todaro","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12556","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzs.12556","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The presence of aflagellate spermatozoa in two species of <i>Kryptodasys</i> (Fam. Macrodasyidae), a gastrotrich genus recently described, is reported. Their ultrastructure shows common features, which appear peculiar to the genus and different from those of male gametes of the phylogenetically unrelated <i>Dolichodasys</i> (Fam. Cephalodasyidae), the only other macrodasyidan genus known to have aflagellate sperm. Additional information on the ultrastructure of the genital apparatus of the two <i>Kryptodasys</i> species is given, which confirm the data of the originals description and the systematic delimitation of this new genus from <i>Macrodasys</i>, which was mainly based on the structure of the reproductive system until now. The functional and phylogenetic significance of the aflagellate condition of spermatozoa in the two taxa under study and in other species is discussed also in the light of the generally flagellate condition of functional sperm in Gastrotricha.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-11-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jzs.12556","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41702678","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Discordance of genetic diversification between deep- and shallow-water species of Kobeltocochlea Lindholm, 1909 (Caenogastropoda: Truncatelloidea: Benedictiidae) endemic to Lake Baikal with the description of a new species, review of the genus, and notes on its origin","authors":"Tatiana Sitnikova,&nbsp;Veronika Teterina,&nbsp;Natalia Maximova,&nbsp;Sergei Kirilchik","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12545","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzs.12545","url":null,"abstract":"<p>We describe a new species, <i>Kobeltocochlea tamarae</i> Sitnikova, Teterina &amp; Maximova sp. nov., from Lake Baikal discovered in the Saint Petersburg methane seep at a depth of approximately 1400 m. The uncorrected genetic distance was 4.26% of the <i>COI</i> gene between this new species and <i>K</i>. <i>falsipumyla</i> collected from the Academic Ridge at depths between 157 and 163 m. The two shallow-water species, <i>K</i>. <i>martensiana</i> and <i>K</i>. <i>olchonensis</i>, differed in substrate preference and geographic habitats, with a genetic distance of 0.97% for <i>COI</i>. Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial (<i>COI</i>, <i>16S</i>) and nuclear (<i>ITSI</i>, <i>28S</i>) sequences indicated that <i>Kobeltocochlea</i> was paraphyletic with respect to other benedictiid genera <i>Benedictia</i> and <i>Yaroslawiella</i>, formed well-supported monophyletic groups. We revealed the discordance of morphological and genetic data within <i>Kobeltocochlea</i> and other benedictiids, which reflected their complicated history. The current knowledge of benedictiids does not allow for significant changes in the taxonomy of the Benedictiidae, except for synonymizing <i>K</i>. <i>lindholmiana</i> with <i>K</i>. <i>olchonensis</i> and <i>Pseudobenedictia</i> with <i>Benedictia</i> that were also investigated. We speculate that three main lineages of benedictiids originated from three populations of a single ancient species approximately 3.2 Ma. The speciation of deep-water species was probably driven independently by bathymetric isolation in the cold methane seeps of different geomorphological structures. The diversification of the third lineage consisting of littoral (including <i>K</i>. <i>martensiana</i>/<i>K</i>. <i>olchonensis</i>), deep-water, and eurybathic benedictiids may be explained by rapid adaptive radiation to intralacustrine environments.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-11-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45758798","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evolutionary history of the Aztec shiner Aztecula sallaei (Günther, 1868) (Teleostei: Cyprinidae): An endemic and monotypic species of Mexico","authors":"Ana Berenice García-Andrade,&nbsp;Rosa Gabriela Beltrán-Lopéz,&nbsp;Rodolfo Pérez-Rodríguez,&nbsp;Omar Domínguez-Domínguez,&nbsp;Humberto Mejía-Mojica,&nbsp;Ignacio Doadrio","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12555","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzs.12555","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The distribution and diversification processes of freshwater fishes have been influenced by tecto-volcanic and climatic events that have in turn promoted genesis, destruction, and numerous changes in the drainage networks, leaving complex phylogeographic patterns in the ichthyofauna of highly dynamic regions such as central Mexico. In this study, we evaluated the evolutionary history of the Aztec shiner <i>Aztecula sallaei</i>, which is distributed in currently isolated drainages in the highlands of central Mexico, performing phylogenetic, biogeographic, and phylogeographic analyses using three genes: the mitochondrial <i>cytb</i> and two nuclear genes, <i>S7</i> and <i>ACTB</i>. The studied populations show three genetically divergent and structured lineages: two are exclusive to the Panuco biogeographic region and the third is widely distributed in the Upper Lerma, Middle Lerma, Cuitzeo, and Balsas (Zempoala Lakes) biogeographic regions, as well as one population in Panuco. This widely distributed lineage also presents a genetic structure that is congruent with these biogeographic regions supported by the <i>cytb</i> gene and partially supported by the <i>S7</i> gene. The divergence time of these lineages was dated to the Pleistocene period (0.56–2.79 Mya) and was associated with temporally or spatially independent events of river capture, which promoted the exchange of fishes between the river headwaters followed by subsequent isolation, explaining the current distribution of this cyprinid in neighboring but currently isolated basins. Our results indicate that, in the highlands of central Mexico, tecto-volcanic activity has shaped the geographic ranges, diversification, and phylogeographic patterns of freshwater fishes.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-10-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41723860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrative taxonomy of insular land snails of the genus Sicradiscus Páll-Gergely, 2013 (Gastropoda, Plectopylidae) with description of a new species","authors":"Naoto Sawada,&nbsp;Chung-Chi Hwang,&nbsp;Josef Harl,&nbsp;Takafumi Nakano","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12553","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzs.12553","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Many land snail taxa have undergone speciation in the Ryukyu Islands and Taiwan in East Asia. We examined the shell, radular, and genital morphology, and mitochondrial phylogeny of two described <i>Sicradiscus</i> species distributed in Miyako Island and Taiwan, and the newly discovered <i>Sicradiscus pallgergelyi</i> sp. nov. from Iriomote Island. Canonical variate analysis based on adult shell measurements indicated that <i>S</i>.<i> pallgergelyi</i> sp. nov. and the Taiwanese <i>Sicradiscus ishizakii</i> had more similar shell measurements, whereas <i>S</i>.<i> pallgergelyi</i> sp. nov. shared common characteristics of shell sculpture with the Japanese <i>Sicradiscus hirasei</i>. The leave-one-out cross-validation results correctly classified 100%, 71.4%, and 88.0% of <i>S</i>.<i> hirasei</i>, <i>S</i>.<i> ishizakii</i>, and <i>S</i>.<i> pallgergelyi</i> sp. nov., respectively. The radular and genital morphology was similar in these three species. Moreover, molecular phylogenetic analyses showed monophyly of the three species, although the Japanese lineages were more closely related to each other than to the Taiwanese species. Accordingly, the characteristics of shell sculpture are common traits of the two Japanese species, and these findings indicate that shell morphology has significantly diverged in Japan. The different apertural callus lengths among the three species may be an adaptation to predators, and shell flatness may reflect interspecific differences in microhabitats.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43921375","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evolution of sexual dimorphism in an endemic toad of the Qinghai–Tibet plateau fails to obey Rensch’s rule","authors":"Tong Lei Yu,&nbsp;Gang Wang,&nbsp;Mariana M. Vasconcellos,&nbsp;Yu Jie Li","doi":"10.1111/jzs.12554","DOIUrl":"10.1111/jzs.12554","url":null,"abstract":"<p>According to Rensch's rule, sexual size dimorphism (SSD) decreases with increasing body size in species where females are larger than males, whereas SSD increases with body size when males are larger than females. In this study, we examined body size from 15 populations of <i>Bufo minshanicus</i> in the Qinghai–Tibet plateau in China. We estimated the age of the individuals from eight populations to evaluate Rensch's rule and possible causes of variation in SSD. After or before correcting male and female body size for age differences, the patterns of SSD failed to obey Rensch's rule or its inverse, even though fecundity selection in toads tends to favor larger female body size. We also found that the degree of SSD was positively correlated with the operational sex ratio in the field across <i>B</i>. <i>minshanicus</i> populations. Thus, sexual and fecundity selection play an equal role driving the evolution of SSD within toads. In addition, sex-specific growth rate and age structure explain part of the variation observed in SSD across populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":54751,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Zoological Systematics and Evolutionary Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2021-10-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43443851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}