Abstract
To assess the role of various ecological factors on the evolution of body size and clutch size, a comparative analysis of life-history traits in amphipods was performed across families using phylogenetically independent contrasts. The analysis was based on data from 993 species. There is no difference between the body size of marine amphipod taxa and that of freshwater or terrestrial taxa. Amphipod lineages that are parasitic or obligate associates of other animals display consistently smaller body sizes than their closest free-living relatives. Both latitude and depth correlated positively with amphipod body size. There is no significant tendency for high latitude or deep water amphipod taxa to produce fewer eggs for a given body size than their tropical or shallow-water relatives. The results of the comparative analysis suggest that evolutionary changes in habitat or mode of life had significant effects on amphipod life-history traits.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
