Peng Xiwen, Kang Da, Chen Guangfeng, Hu Suwen, Sun Zijian, Zhao Tian
College of Fisheries, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China.
Animals (Basel). 2025 Jul 30;15(15):2243. doi: 10.3390/ani15152243.
Understanding how habitat conditions drive morphological adaptations in animals is critical in ecology, yet amphibian studies remain limited. This study investigated intraspecific variation in ecomorphological traits of three montane stream-dwelling frogs (, , and ) across elevation gradients in Tianping Mountain, China. Using morphological measurements and environmental variables collected from ten transects, we analyzed functional traits related to feeding and locomotion and assessed their associations with microhabitat variables. Significant trait differences between low- and high-elevation groups were detected only in , with high-elevation individuals exhibiting greater body mass and shorter hindlimbs. Redundancy analysis demonstrated that microhabitat variables, particularly air humidity, flow rate, and rock coverage, were linked to trait variations. For example, air humidity and flow rate significantly influenced 's body and limb proportions, while flow rate affected 's snout and limb morphology. In addition, sex and seasonal effects were also associated with trait variations. These results underscore amphibians' phenotypic plasticity in response to the environment and highlight the role of microhabitat complexity in shaping traits. By linking habitat heterogeneity to eco-morphology, this study advocates for conservation strategies that preserve varied stream environments to support amphibian resilience amid environmental changes.
了解栖息地条件如何驱动动物的形态适应在生态学中至关重要，但两栖动物的研究仍然有限。本研究调查了中国天平山海拔梯度上三种山地溪流栖息蛙类（、和）生态形态特征的种内变异。利用从十个样带收集的形态测量数据和环境变量，我们分析了与摄食和运动相关的功能性状，并评估了它们与微生境变量的关联。仅在中检测到低海拔和高海拔组之间的显著性状差异，高海拔个体表现出更大的体重和更短的后肢。冗余分析表明，微生境变量，特别是空气湿度、流速和岩石覆盖率，与性状变异有关。例如，空气湿度和流速显著影响的身体和肢体比例，而流速影响的吻部和肢体形态。此外，性别和季节效应也与性状变异有关。这些结果强调了两栖动物对环境的表型可塑性，并突出了微生境复杂性在塑造性状中的作用。通过将栖息地异质性与生态形态联系起来，本研究倡导保护策略，以保护多样的溪流环境，以支持两栖动物在环境变化中的恢复力。
