Divergence in Morphology, Clinging Ability and Self-Righting Ability of Two Sympatric Box Turtles (Cuora)
Divergence in Morphology, Clinging Ability and Self-Righting Ability of Two Sympatric Box Turtles (Cuora)
Fanrong Xiao, Jichao Wang and Haitao Shi*
ABSTRACT
Elucidating the relationships between morphology, performance and ecology is central to understand how morphology influences fitness. Previous work has already shown that two sympatric turtles, the Keeled box turtle Cuora mouhotii and the Flowerback box turtle C. galbinifrons, have divergent morphologies and occupy different microhabitats (steep, rocky hillslopes vs gentle, less rocky hillslopes). However, it is unclear how these differences are related to performance. In this study, we test the relationship between morphology and functional performance in these two species. The Keeled box turtle has a flatter shell, larger head, longer toes, better clinging ability, and better self-righting ability, whereas the Flowerback box turtle has a more domed shell, smaller head, shorter toes, decreased clinging ability, and decreased self-righting ability. Together, these results provide evidence that these two species are specialized to use different microhabitats. These differences likely allow the two species to exist in sympatry by reducing interspecific competition.
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February 2021
Vol. 53, Iss. 1, Pages 1-400
