两栖爬行动物两性大小异形研究进展

Sexual size dimorphism of amphibians and reptiles:A review

动物两性间在个体大小、形状以及体色等方面产生差异的现象被称为动物的两性异形(sexual dimorphism,SD),其中个体大小的两性异形(sexual size dimorphism,SSD)最受关注。两性异形是动物中的一种普遍现象,它反映了两性在不同选择压力作用下适应的结果。当前理论认为,产生两性异形的原因主要有3种,即性选择压力、生育力选择压力和生态位分离假说。两栖爬行动物中两性异形现象普遍存在,并且由于终身生长,两栖爬行动物个体大小的两性异形是受多种因素综合作用的结果,因而两栖爬行动物是研究两性异形的理想模型,并已得到广泛而深入的研究。本文从两性异形的定义及规律、发生机制以及主要研究进展3个方面综述两栖爬行动物两性异形的研究状况,并结合我国两栖爬行动物两性异形研究的现状和问题,提出今后开展进一步研究的建议。

Differences in body shape and size, as well as differences in body coloration between male and female of same species are called as sexual dimorphism （SD）. Sexual difference in body size or in other words, sexual size dimorphism （ SSD）, attracts a lot of attention of research ers. SSD is a common phenomenon for animals, which reflects the different adaptation of male and female under the selection pressure of the environment. There are three main hypotheses for the causes of SSD, i.e. , sexual selection pressure, fecundity selection pressure, and ecological niche divergence. SSD is a very common phenomenon for amphibians and reptiles. Due to the lifelong growth, the individual sexual size dimorphism of amphibians and reptiles is the result of the comprehensive effects of various factors. Therefore, amphibians and reptiles are the ideal models for studying the evolution of sexual dimorphism, being researched widely and deeply. This paper reviewed the research progress on the SSD of amphibians and reptiles, with the focu ses on the definitions, patterns, and evolution mechanisms of SSD. Aiming at the present status and existing problems in our related researches, some suggestions for the further research of the SSD of amphibians and reptiles were proposed.