Seasonality and age is positively related to brain size in Andrew’s toad (Bufo andrewsi)

Jiang, A; Zhong, MJ; Xie, M; Lou, SL; Yin, L; Jehle, R; Liao, WB

Abstract

The Expensive Brain Framework (EBF) and the Cognitive Buffer Hypothesis are commonly used to explain inter- and intraspecific variation in brain size and brain architecture. Using Andrew’s toad (Bufo andrewsi) as a model species, we investigated whether brain attributes in amphibians are shaped by the interplay between age and the length of the activity season as determined by altitude and latitude. We found significant differences in absolute and relative brain volume across 12 populations. Supporting the EBF, we observed a positive correlation between absolute and relative brain volume with season length. In particular, populations experiencing long seasons were characterized by having relatively large olfactory nerve and optic tecta. Relative, but not absolute, brain volume was also positively correlated with individual age. When accounting for the effects of body size and brain volume, however, the size of different brain structures (olfactory nerve, olfactory bulbs, telencephalon, optic tecta and cerebellum) was independent from age. Taken together, our findings are largely in agreement with the EBF to determine brain size variation in Andrew’s toad.

Citation

Jiang, A., Zhong, M., Xie, M., Lou, S., Yin, L., Jehle, R., & Liao, W. (2015). Seasonality and age is positively related to brain size in Andrew’s toad (Bufo andrewsi). Evolutionary Biology, 42(3), 339-348. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11692-015-9329-4

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 25, 2015
• Online Publication Date: May 30, 2015
• Publication Date: Sep 1, 2015
• Deposit Date: Jun 16, 2015
• Journal: Evolutionary Biology
• Print ISSN: 0071-3260
• Electronic ISSN: 1934-2845
• Publisher: Springer Verlag
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 339-348
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11692-015-9329-4
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11692-015-9329-4
• Related Public URLs: http://link.springer.com/journal/11692
• Additional Information: Funders : National Natural Sciences Foundation of China;Sichuan Province Outstanding Youth Academic Technology Leaders Program;Sichuan Province Department of Education Innovation Team Project;Students Science and Technology Innovation Fund of China West Normal University; Grant Number: 31471996, 31101633; Grant Number: 2013JQ0016; Grant Number: 15TD0019; Grant Number: 42713054, 201410638020