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Oskar Liset Pryds Hansen

Elevational variation of body size and reproductive traits in high-latitude wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Camille Ameline, University of Basel
  • ,
  • Toke Thomas Hoye
  • Joseph James Bowden, Canadian Forest Serv, Canadian Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Atlantic Forestry Ctr
  • ,
  • Rikke Reisner Hansen
  • Oskar Liset Pryds Hansen
  • Charlene Puzin, Universite de Rennes 1
  • ,
  • Philippe Vernon, Univ Rennes 1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Universite de Rennes 1, CNRS, UMR ECOBIO 6553, Stn Biol Paimpont
  • ,
  • Julien Petillon, Univ Rennes 1, CNRS - Institute of Ecology & Environment (INEE), Universite de Rennes 1, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), CNRS, UMR ECOBIO 6553

Environmental gradients can help us comprehend the range of adaptations or plasticity that a given species can exhibit in response to climatic change. In this study, we assessed the response in female body size, clutch size and egg volume to elevational gradients in closely related wolf spiders. We measured these traits in Pardosa glacialis, P. hyperborea, P. furcifera and P. palustris, collected along elevational gradients across six sites in Arctic and sub-Arctic regions (four sites in Greenland, one in Iceland and one in the Faroe Islands), although not all species were found at all sites. Body size and reproductive traits did not vary with elevation in a consistent manner among species although smaller species were more sensitive to the gradients. The positive relationship between body size and clutch size was most pronounced in the larger species, indicating that larger species are better able to translate favourable environmental conditions into a larger reproductive output. Our study illustrates that elevational gradients may not fully capture spatial variation in environmental conditions experienced by high-latitude wolf spider species.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPolar Biology
Volume41
Issue12
Pages (from-to)2561-2574
Number of pages14
ISSN0722-4060
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2018

    Research areas

  • Arctic environment, Biometry, Altitude, Environmental gradients, Pardosa, Cocoon, LIFE-HISTORY, CLIMATE-CHANGE, YUKON-TERRITORY, GROWTH-RATE, TEMPERATURE, GRADIENTS, COMMUNITY, RESPONSES, CLINES, ASSEMBLAGES

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