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Comparing interspecific and intraspecific allometry in the Anatidae

Vergleich inter- und intraspezifisher Allometrien bei Anatiden

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Summary

Interspecific scaling relationships (e.g. of limb size with body mass) in vertebrates are usually assumed to be functional (e.g. biomechanical) attributes. In this paper on the Anatidae, we study the scaling of wing length and tarsus length with body mass, relationships that can be expected to have biomechanical significance. At an interspecific level, both wing length and tarsus are positively allometric, a finding consistent with results from previous comparative avian studies. These trends remained significant in regressions controlling for the effects of phylogeny, but interspecific slopes were less steep within tribes than in the whole family (a taxon-level effect). We are not aware of any biomechanical resasons that explain these patterns satisfactorily. Intraspecific (static) allometries in Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) and Marbled Teal (Marmaronetta angustirostris) are different: wing length is negatively allometric and tarsus is isometric. These anomalies suggest that interspecific and intraspecific scaling relationships do not share common causes. Our results bring into question the significance of interspecific allometries in vertebrate morphology, which may to some extent be non-functional by-products of morphological optimisation processes within species and ecological differences between them.

Zusammenfassung

Bei Vertebraten werden auf dem interspezifischem Niveau Größenbeziehungen (z. B. Gliedmaßenlänge mit Körpergewicht) üblicherweise funktional (z. B. bio-mechanisch) erklärt. In der vorliegende Studie untersuchen wir die Größenbeziehungen von Flügel- und Tarsuslänge mit der Körpermasse bei Anatiden. Es ist zu erwarten, daß diese Beziehungen biomechanische Bedeutung haben. Auf dem interspefischen Niveau (morphometrische Daten von 42 westpaläarktischen Arten wurden untersucht) sind sowohl Flügellänge als auch Tarsuslänge positiv allometrisch, d. h. länger mit zunehmender Masse. Dieses Ergebnis stimmt mit früheren, vergleichenden Studien an Vögeln überein. Diese Trends waren auch in Regressionsanalysen signifikant, in denen auf die Effekte der Phylogenie kontrolliert wurde. Allerdings, waren die interspezifischen Steigungen innerhalb der Triben geringer als in ganzen Familien (Effekt des taxonomischen Niveaus). Für diese Muster haben wir keine befriedigende biomechanische Erklärung. Intraspezifische (statische) Allometrien in einjährigen Krickenten (Anas crecca) und Marmelenten (Marmaronetta angustirostris) unterscheiden sich: die Flügellänge ist hier negativ allometrisch (d. h. relativ kürzer bei steigender Masse), die Tarsuslänge ist isometrisch. Diese Anomalien weisen darauf hin, dass inter-und intraspezifischen Größenbeziehungen keine gemeinsame Erklärung zugrunde liegen. Unsere Ergebnisse stellen die Bedeutung von interspezifischen Allometrien in der Morphologie von Vertebraten in Frage. Sie könnten zum Teil nichtfunktionelle Nebenprodukte von morphologischer Spezialisierung innerhalb von Arten, aber auch von ökologischen Unterschieden zwischen Arten sein.

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  1. Roy King

    Present address: Garden Cottage, Kingsnympton Park, EX37 9TA, Umberleigh, North Devon, United Kingdom

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Avda. María Luisa s/n, 41013, Sevilla, Spain

    Andy J. Green & Jordi Figuerola

  2. The Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust, GL2 7BT, Slimbridge, Gloucester, United Kingdom

    Roy King

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  1. Andy J. Green
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  2. Jordi Figuerola
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Correspondence to Andy J. Green.

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Green, A.J., Figuerola, J. & King, R. Comparing interspecific and intraspecific allometry in the Anatidae. J Ornithol 142, 321–334 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01651371

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