JCSET | Watershed Studies Institute Research Symposium
Does climate change promote cannibalism?
Academic Level at Time of Presentation
Graduate
Major
Watershed Science
List all Project Mentors & Advisor(s)
Dr. Howard H. Whiteman
Presentation Format
Oral Presentation
Abstract/Description
Polyphenisms (environmentally-cued polymorphisms) occur when multiple discrete morphologies are produced in different individuals of the same species in varying environments. Arizona tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium nebulosum) exhibit a cannibalistic polyphenism in which cannibal morphs possess vomerine teeth and larger, U-shaped heads than toothless typical morphs. Cannibalism can strongly impact tiger salamander populations and their surrounding communities due to their keystone role in subalpine freshwater ponds. Several studies have found that the cannibal morphology is positively correlated with salamander density. However, no previous studies have examined the impact of temperature on tiger salamander cannibalism. This is significant, as the Rocky Mountains where Arizona tiger salamanders live have warmed by 1°C on average, and models predict that the region could warm an average of about 1.5-3°C by 2050. In my study, I aimed to determine whether increased temperatures and density levels influence the production of the cannibal morphology. I conducted an experiment at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in which I had three density treatments (four, eight, and 12 larvae per container) and two temperature treatments (ambient vs. 3°C warmer). I found that increased temperatures and density levels did not impact the development of the cannibal morphology. However, these conditions did lead to increased cannibalistic behavior and consumption of conspecifics, which may have ecosystem-wide implications due to the keystone role that Arizona tiger salamanders play in their communities. Understanding how rapidly changing climate conditions are impacting polyphenisms in this system may increase our understanding of the relationship between climate and polyphenisms in other systems, ultimately helping us mitigate the effects of climate change on environmentally-sensitive species.
Spring Scholars Week 2024 Event
Watershed Studies Institute Symposium
Does climate change promote cannibalism?
Polyphenisms (environmentally-cued polymorphisms) occur when multiple discrete morphologies are produced in different individuals of the same species in varying environments. Arizona tiger salamanders (Ambystoma mavortium nebulosum) exhibit a cannibalistic polyphenism in which cannibal morphs possess vomerine teeth and larger, U-shaped heads than toothless typical morphs. Cannibalism can strongly impact tiger salamander populations and their surrounding communities due to their keystone role in subalpine freshwater ponds. Several studies have found that the cannibal morphology is positively correlated with salamander density. However, no previous studies have examined the impact of temperature on tiger salamander cannibalism. This is significant, as the Rocky Mountains where Arizona tiger salamanders live have warmed by 1°C on average, and models predict that the region could warm an average of about 1.5-3°C by 2050. In my study, I aimed to determine whether increased temperatures and density levels influence the production of the cannibal morphology. I conducted an experiment at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory in which I had three density treatments (four, eight, and 12 larvae per container) and two temperature treatments (ambient vs. 3°C warmer). I found that increased temperatures and density levels did not impact the development of the cannibal morphology. However, these conditions did lead to increased cannibalistic behavior and consumption of conspecifics, which may have ecosystem-wide implications due to the keystone role that Arizona tiger salamanders play in their communities. Understanding how rapidly changing climate conditions are impacting polyphenisms in this system may increase our understanding of the relationship between climate and polyphenisms in other systems, ultimately helping us mitigate the effects of climate change on environmentally-sensitive species.