Shape-shifting: changing animal morphologies as a response to climatic warming

Sara Ryding*, Marcel Klaassen, Glenn J. Tattersall, Janet L. Gardner, Matthew R.E. Symonds

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    76 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Many animal appendages, such as avian beaks and mammalian ears, can be used to dissipate excess body heat. Allen's rule, wherein animals in warmer climates have larger appendages to facilitate more efficient heat exchange, reflects this. We find that there is widespread evidence of ‘shape-shifting’ (changes in appendage size) in endotherms in response to climate change and its associated climatic warming. We re-examine studies of morphological change over time within a thermoregulatory context, finding evidence that temperature can be a strong predictor of morphological change independently of, or combined with, other environmental changes. Last, we discuss how Allen's rule, the degree of temperature change, and other ecological factors facilitate morphological change and make predictions about what animals will show shape-shifting.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1036-1048
    Number of pages13
    JournalTrends in Ecology and Evolution
    Volume36
    Issue number11
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

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