Yarwood-et-al_2021_MR-Beh-Morph_PeerJ.pdf (1.64 MB)
Sex-specific covariance between metabolic rate, behaviour and morphology in the ground beetle Carabus hortensis
journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-10, 02:01 authored by Elisabeth Alexandra Yarwood, Claudia Drees, Jeremy NivenJeremy Niven, Wiebke SchuettWiebke SchuettBackground Individuals within the same species often differ in their metabolic rates, which may covary with behavioural traits (such as exploration), that are consistent across time and/or contexts, and morphological traits. Yet, despite the frequent occurrence of sexual dimorphisms in morphology and behaviour, few studies have assessed whether and how sexes differ in metabolic trait covariances. Methods We investigated sex-specific relationships among resting or active metabolic rate (RMR and AMR, respectively) with exploratory behaviour, measured independently of metabolic rate in a novel environment, body size and body mass, in Carabus hortensis ground beetles. Results RMR, AMR and exploratory behaviour were repeatable among individuals across time, except for male RMR which was unrepeatable. Female RMR neither correlated with exploratory behaviour nor body size/body mass. In contrast, AMR was correlated with both body size and exploratory behaviour. Males with larger body sizes had higher AMR, whereas females with larger body sizes had lower AMR. Both male and female AMR were significantly related to exploratory behaviour, though the relationships between AMR and exploration were body mass-dependent in males and temperature-dependent in females. Discussion Differences between sexes exist in the covariances between metabolic rate, body size and exploratory behaviour. This suggests that selection acts differently on males and females to produce these trait covariances with potentially important consequences for individual fitness.
History
Publication status
- Published
File Version
- Published version
Journal
PeerJ – the Journal of Life & Environmental SciencesISSN
2167-8359Publisher
PeerJExternal DOI
Volume
9Page range
1-19Article number
a12455Department affiliated with
- Evolution, Behaviour and Environment Publications
Full text available
- Yes
Peer reviewed?
- Yes
Legacy Posted Date
2021-12-15First Open Access (FOA) Date
2021-12-15First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date
2021-12-15Usage metrics
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