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Research Day Entry

Evolutionary responses to climate change in a northeastern forest

Ectothermic organisms are particularly sensitive to climatic and ecological changes which can prompt evolutionary responses. Predicting these types of eco-evolutionary dynamics is an important goal for ecologists; however, the severe sensitivity of some species can lead to counter-intuitive evolutionary changes. We utilized four unique, long-term datasets from Yale Myers Forest in northeastern Connecticut to characterize ecological changes in air temperature, water temperature, and canopy closure, and evolutionary changes in wood frog (Rana sylvatica) developmental rates over two decades. We found increases in spring air and water temperatures and canopy closure. Over the same period, wood frogs, which rely on temperature and canopy as breeding cues, exhibited delayed embryonic development, but increased larval development. These results suggest that ectothermic organisms can undergo complex evolutionary shifts in response to rapid and fine-scale ecological change.