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<p>The pace-of-life framework offers a comprehensive perspective for understanding the complexities of phenotypic responses at various scales. It suggests that animals facing different ecological challenges exhibit distinct suites of functionally related traits, resulting in an integrated phenotypic response. In this study, we evaluated variation of life history, behavior, physiology, and morphology in a small rodent, <i>Phyllotis vaccarum</i>, inhabiting different elevations in the Andes Mountains. We collected individuals at 1700&#xa0;m, 2300&#xa0;m, and 3100&#xa0;m a.s.l. and assessed litter size, early body mass, and growth rate of pups as indicators of their life history; boldness, neophobia, exploratory rate, and foraging latency as proxies of their behavioral profile; and resting metabolic rate and body size as measures of physiology and morphology, respectively. Neither metabolism nor body size showed significant variation across the studied altitudinal range. However, we found a larger litter size and a bolder behavioral profile at higher elevations, along with a positive relationship between metabolism and certain aspects of behavior. These results suggest greater energy allocation per reproductive event in higher-elevation populations, together with risk-taking behaviors that may enhance foraging success and physiological responses with potential to reduce energetic expenditure. Our findings contrast with trends typically observed in other taxa, offering new perspectives on the evolution of integrated phenotypes.</p>

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Elevational patterns in life history, behavior, physiology, and morphology: Insights from the Andean rodent Phyllotis vaccarum

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年1月8日

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  • Fiona Alexandra Patterson,
  • Emmanuel Fabián Ruperto,
  • Nadia Vicenzi,
  • Josefina Menéndez,
  • Paola Lorena Sassi

摘要

The pace-of-life framework offers a comprehensive perspective for understanding the complexities of phenotypic responses at various scales. It suggests that animals facing different ecological challenges exhibit distinct suites of functionally related traits, resulting in an integrated phenotypic response. In this study, we evaluated variation of life history, behavior, physiology, and morphology in a small rodent, Phyllotis vaccarum, inhabiting different elevations in the Andes Mountains. We collected individuals at 1700 m, 2300 m, and 3100 m a.s.l. and assessed litter size, early body mass, and growth rate of pups as indicators of their life history; boldness, neophobia, exploratory rate, and foraging latency as proxies of their behavioral profile; and resting metabolic rate and body size as measures of physiology and morphology, respectively. Neither metabolism nor body size showed significant variation across the studied altitudinal range. However, we found a larger litter size and a bolder behavioral profile at higher elevations, along with a positive relationship between metabolism and certain aspects of behavior. These results suggest greater energy allocation per reproductive event in higher-elevation populations, together with risk-taking behaviors that may enhance foraging success and physiological responses with potential to reduce energetic expenditure. Our findings contrast with trends typically observed in other taxa, offering new perspectives on the evolution of integrated phenotypes.