Sexual Dimorphism in the Hindlimb Muscles of the Asiatic Toad(Bufo gargarizans)in Relation to Male Reproductive Success  

作　　者：Zhiping MI 

机构地区：[1]College of Life Science,China West Normal University

出　　处：《Asian Herpetological Research》2013年第1期56-61,共6页亚洲两栖爬行动物研究（英文版）

基　　金：supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(31101633);the Innovative Team Foundation of China West Normal University

摘　　要：In many anurans, the forelimb muscles of males are used to grasp females and are often heavier than those of females despite the larger female body size. Such sexual dimorphism in forelimb musculature is thought to result from sexual selection. In addition, the hindlimbs of frogs and toads play an important role in the reproductive process as amplectant males can expel rivals with robust hindlimbs through kicking. In this study, the sexual dimorphism in dry mass for six hindlimb muscles of the Asiatic toad （Bufo gargarizans） was investigated. The results showed that, when controlled for body size, the hindlimb muscle mass of males significantly exceeded that of females for every muscle. The hindlimb muscle mass of amplectant males was also significantly larger than that of non-amplectant males. These results suggested that if strong hindlimb muscles could improve mating success of males, sexual selection would promote the evolution of dimorphism in this character.In many anurans, the forelimb muscles of males are used to grasp females and are often heavier than those of females despite the larger female body size. Such sexual dimorphism in forelimb musculature is thought to result from sexual selection. In addition, the hindlimbs of frogs and toads play an important role in the reproductive process as amplectant males can expel rivals with robust hindlimbs through kicking. In this study, the sexual dimorphism in dry mass for six hindlimb muscles of the Asiatic toad （Bufo gargarizans） was investigated. The results showed that, when controlled for body size, the hindlimb muscle mass of males significantly exceeded that of females for every muscle. The hindlimb muscle mass of amplectant males was also significantly larger than that of non-amplectant males. These results suggested that if strong hindlimb muscles could improve mating success of males, sexual selection would promote the evolution of dimorphism in this character.

关 键 词：Bufo gargarizans hindlimb muscle sexual dimorphism sexual selection 

分 类 号：R698[医药卫生—泌尿科学]