Submitted by Izabel Franco (izabel-franco@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-13T14:25:31Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissYDC.pdf: 2126225 bytes, checksum: 2147e7b962e991380f7156a8f8bb3b9d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-13T20:39:00Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissYDC.pdf: 2126225 bytes, checksum: 2147e7b962e991380f7156a8f8bb3b9d (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-13T20:39:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissYDC.pdf: 2126225 bytes, checksum: 2147e7b962e991380f7156a8f8bb3b9d (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-13T20:39:30Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissYDC.pdf: 2126225 bytes, checksum: 2147e7b962e991380f7156a8f8bb3b9d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-16 / Não recebi financiamento / Data on the reproductive biology of birds are essential to test hypotheses regarding the evolution of different aspects of the life history of these animals. However, basic information on the reproductive behavior of most South American bird species are poorly known. Moreover, particularly for birds with wide geographic distribution, life history may vary according to the different environmental conditions. Thus, the study of reproductive behavior in different populations of the same species, allow the identification of patterns of variation to make inferences about the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms responsible for the diversification and facilitates the development of conservation strategies. The Black Crowned Night Heron, Nycticorax nycticorax (Ardeidae) is a cosmopolitan species very common in Brazil, which breeds in large colonies. Although data on the reproductive biology of this species are available for Europe and North America, is little studied in Brazil. Thus, the objective of this proposal is to describe the reproductive cycle of N. nycticorax in two colonies in the Parque Estadual Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. The breeding season extended from July of 2013 to January 2014, however the field work was performed from September to January, with peak activity in September. The nests were built average 3,55 ± 2,58 m high and 2,36 ± 1,62 m alway from the main trunk. A total of 38 nests were found, but just 29 were monitored. The clutch size was 2.41 ± 0.68 (1 - 3) n = 29, and the incubation period was 23,26±1,26. The nestlings began to leave the nest with an average of 17.4 ± 3.6 days of life, what we call the stay 1, and left the nest definitely with 25,71 ± 7,16 days, which we call the residence 2. From 70 eggs, 57.14 % hatched and 25 chicks survived and left the nest. The survival rate was 31% from laying to the left of the nest, Mayfield. We compared with other tropical populations and the Northern Hemisphere, we recorded a strong tendency in latitudinal gradients of larger clutch size at high latitudes, but reproductive success does not seem to be associated with it, should be more associated with habitat conditions and availability of resources than with the latitudes. Incubation seem to support the premise to be higher in tropical regions, but few incubation data and nestling data are available for comparison. / Dados sobre a biologia reprodutiva das aves são essenciais para se testar hipóteses referentes à evolução de diferentes aspectos da história de vida destes animais. No entanto, informações básicas sobre o comportamento reprodutivo da maioria das espécies de aves Sul Americanas são inexistentes. Além disso, principalmente para as aves com ampla distribuição geográfica, a história de vida pode variar de acordo com as diferentes condições ambientais. Desta maneira, o estudo do comportamento reprodutivo em diferentes populações de uma mesma espécie, além de permitir a identificação dos padrões de variação, possibilita inferir sobre os mecanismos ecológicos e evolutivos responsáveis pela diversificação e facilita o desenvolvimento de estratégias de conservação. O socó-dorminhoco, Nycticorax nycticorax (Ardeidae) é uma espécie cosmopolita muito comum no Brasil, que se reproduz em grandes colônias. Embora dados sobre a biologia reprodutiva desta espécie sejam disponíveis para a Europa e América do Norte, no Brasil é pouco estudada. Diante disso, o objetivo desta presente proposta, foi descrever o ciclo reprodutivo de N. nycticorax em dois ninhais no Parque Estadual Fontes do Ipiranga, São Paulo, sudeste do Brasil. O período reprodutivo se estendeu de Julho de 2013 a Janeiro de 2014, sendo que a coleta de dado foi de Setembro a Janeiro, com pico de ninhos ativos em Setembro. Os ninhos foram construídos numa média de 3,55 ± 2,58 metros de altura (0,44 – 7 m, n = 16 ninhos) e 2,36 ± 1,62 metros de distância do tronco principal (0,0 – 4,48 m, n = 20 ninhos). Um total de 38 ninhos foram encontrados, mas apenas 29 foram monitorados. O tamanho de ninhada foi de 2,41 ± 0,68 (1 – 3) n = 29 e o período de incubação foi de 23, 26 ± 1,26 dias. Os filhotes começaram a sair do ninho com uma média de 17.4 ± 3.6 dias de vida, o que chamamos de permanência 1, e deixaram o ninho definitivamente com 25.71 ± 7.16 dias, o que chamamos de permanência 2. De 70 ovos, 57,14% eclodiram e 25 filhotes sobreviveram e saíram do ninho. A taxa de sobrevivência de ninho foi de 31%, pelo método de Mayfield. Esses dados foram comparados com outras populações Tropicais e do hemisfério norte, notamos uma forte tendência em gradientes latitudinais, de maiores ninhadas em altas latitudes, porém o sucesso reprodutivo não parece estar associado a latitude, pode estar mais associado com as condições de habitat e de disponibilidade de recursos. Período de incubação parece corroborar com a premissa de ser maior nas regiões tropicais, porém poucos dados de incubação e permanência estão disponíveis para comparações.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The variation on the richness species in regional scales has been debated a lot. Three of the hypotheses mot frequently discussed as determinants of regional variability in richness species are energy, contemporary climatic conditions and habitat heterogeneity. Studies at mesoscale are very important to discover different patterns that underlying the variability in richness species. As the bats are so common in whole world and ecologically diverse, these organisms are excellent environmental characterized. On this basis, the goals of this study were to link the bat species composition with the vegetation in forest-grassland transition area in the Southeastern of South America and to assess the space influence on the bat species richness by environmental variables. The study area includes the southeastern of South America. Species distribution data were obtained by museums, review and database on line .The distribution s estimate for each species was done on a map with 139 cells 1º latitude by 1º longitude. It was collected distribution data to 79 bat species. Rain Forest and Seasonal Forest had the largest species richness. The cluster analysis based on the cells revealed three major clusters: the Forest cluster (at north), the Araucaria cluster (at middle), and the Grassland cluster (at south). The Araucaria cluster was associated to the Grassland cluster. The cluster analysis based in the phytogeographic zones revealed four clusters, where the Araucaria Forest was associated with the forested regions. The contemporary climatic conditions hypothesis was the best explained the variability on the richness data, where the mean annual temperature the main predictor variable, followed by extent of relief and AET, respectively. With the whole variables, the OLS regression also indicated the mean annual temperature as the main predictor variable, followed by AET. These same variables also explained the variability in the species richness in Phyllostomidae, Molossidae and Vespertilionidae. The Araucaria Forest is a filter area to the dispersal of tropical species into subtropical and temperate areas of South America, because the hard winters in that area, what may be explained likely for the intolerance of some species in colder climates. / A variação da riqueza de espécies em escala regional tem sido intensivamente discutida. Três das principais hipóteses que buscam explicar esse padrão de variação são as hipóteses energética, climática e de heterogeneidade do habitat. Estudos em meso-escala são importantes para descobrir padrões diferentes que influenciam a variação na riqueza de espécies. Como os morcegos são muito abundantes globalmente e bem diversificados ecologicamente, esses organismos são ótimos caracterizadores ambientais. Com base nisso, os objetivos deste estudo foram relacionar a composição das espécies de morcegos com a vegetação em área de transição floresta-campo no sudeste da América do Sul e avaliar a influência do espaço sobre a riqueza de morcegos através de variáveis ambientais. A área de estudo compreende a porção sudeste da América do Sul. Os dados de distribuição das espécies foram coletados através de visita a museus, revisão bibliográfica e consulta a bancos de dados on line. Foi feita a estimativa de distribuição para cada espécie sobre um mapa contendo 139 quadrículas de 1º de latitude por 1º de longitude. Foram obtidos dados de distribuição para 79 espécies de morcegos. Áreas de Floresta Ombrófila Densa e de Floresta Estacional possuíram a maior riqueza de espécies. A análise de agrupamento com base nas quadrículas formou três grupos nítidos: grupo Florestal (ao norte), Araucária (intermediário) e Campestre (ao sul). O grupo Araucária ficou associado ao grupo Campestre. A análise de agrupamento com base nas regiões fitogeográficas formou quatro grupos nítidos, sendo que a Floresta de Araucária ficou associada às formações florestais. A hipótese climática foi a que melhor explicou a variação dos dados de riqueza, sendo a temperatura média anual a principal variável preditora, seguida pela amplitude da altitude e pela AET, respectivamente. Considerando todas as variáveis, a regressão OLS também apontou a temperatura média anual como a principal variável preditora, seguida pela AET. Essas variáveis também explicaram a variação na riqueza de espécies das famílias Phyllostomidae, Molossidae e Vespertilionidae. A Floresta de Araucária é uma área filtro para a dispersão de espécies tropicais para as regiões subtropicais e temperadas da América do Sul, devido aos invernos rigorosos presentes nessa área, o que pode ser explicado principalmente pela intolerância de algumas espécies a climas mais frios.

Submitted by Aelson Maciera (aelsoncm@terra.com.br) on 2017-04-25T19:44:33Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissVSK.pdf: 2947181 bytes, checksum: 3c3bd8a24247cda4927887b3e6e3218b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-05-02T13:09:55Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissVSK.pdf: 2947181 bytes, checksum: 3c3bd8a24247cda4927887b3e6e3218b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ronildo Prado (ronisp@ufscar.br) on 2017-05-02T13:10:02Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissVSK.pdf: 2947181 bytes, checksum: 3c3bd8a24247cda4927887b3e6e3218b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-05-02T13:14:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissVSK.pdf: 2947181 bytes, checksum: 3c3bd8a24247cda4927887b3e6e3218b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-01 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / The relationship between latitude and microbial diversity in the ocean is controversial. Niche models predict higher richness at high latitudes in winter, while snapshot field-sampling point towards higher richness at intermediate latitudes, with lower values both towards equatorial and Polar Regions. However, given the dynamic nature of ocean’s ecosystem it is difficult to account for temporal variations in empirical assessments of microbial biodiversity. Here, we compared the components of diversity (richness and evenness) and microbial population stability (coefficient of variation) in two coastal ocean observatories with similar trophic state located in contrasting latitudes, one located in the Equatorial Atlantic Ocean, and one temperate located in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea, to evaluate which factors drive the dynamics of microbial communities in each site. Our observations support the view that, as animals and plants, microbial communities exhibit higher (or at least similar) richness towards the equator, at least in the coastal ocean. We also found evidence of increasing stability with increasing evenness in tropical microbial communities when compared to the temperate ones. Temperature and silicates drove temperate free-living prokaryotic communities, while tropical ones were driven by stochastic factors such as biotic interactions with eukaryotes. We propose a conceptual framework where microbial community composition would be driven by deterministic factors in higher latitudes and once the factor temperature is removed moving towards the equator, more stochastic factors such as biotic interactions would emerge as the main factors shaping microbial communities. This study highlights the importance of comparative studies on Eulerian time-series distributed at different latitudes to fully understand the diversity patterns of microbial communities in the ocean. / A relação entre a latitude e diversidade microbiana no oceano é controversa. Modelos de nicho preveem maior riqueza em altas latitudes no inverno, enquanto amostragens pontuais indicam uma maior riqueza em latitudes intermediárias, com valores mais baixos para regiões equatoriais e polares. No entanto, dada a natureza dinâmica do ecossistema oceânico, é difícil explicar variações temporais da biodiversidade microbiana nas avaliações empíricas. Nesse trabalho comparamos os componentes da diversidade (riqueza e equitabilidade) e estabilidade das populações microbianas (coeficiente de variação) em dois observatórios oceânicos costeiros com estados tróficos semelhantes, localizados em latitudes contrastantes: um localizado no Oceano Atlântico Equatorial e um em clima temperado localizado no noroeste do Mar Mediterrâneo, a fim de avaliar quais fatores estruturam a dinâmica das comunidades microbianas em cada local. Observamos que tal como animais e plantas, as comunidades microbianas exibem maior (ou pelo menos similar) riqueza no equador pelo menos em águas costeiras. Também encontramos evidências de aumento da estabilidade com o aumento da uniformidade nas comunidades microbianas tropicais, quando comparadas com as de clima temperado. De modo geral, temperatura e silicatos foram as variáveis que condicionaram as comunidades procariotas de vida livre no observatório da região temperada, enquanto que no observatório tropical, fatores estocásticos tais como interações bióticas com eucariotos, foram os fatores que mais influenciaram as comunidades bacterianas. Assim, propomos um quadro conceitual onde a composição da comunidade microbiana seria impulsionada por fatores determinísticos em latitudes mais elevadas, enquanto que em latitudes menores, seriam determinados por fatores mais estocásticos, como interações bióticas. Nosso estudo destaca a importância de estudos comparativos utilizando series temporais Eulerianas em diferentes latitudes para entender os padrões de diversidade das comunidades microbianas no oceano.

Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-02-02T10:10:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Emerson Martins - 2016.pdf: 6051788 bytes, checksum: ad7f3667f902b46edef5c847c0c9cca7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2017-02-02T10:12:27Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Emerson Martins - 2016.pdf: 6051788 bytes, checksum: ad7f3667f902b46edef5c847c0c9cca7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-02-02T10:12:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Emerson Martins - 2016.pdf: 6051788 bytes, checksum: ad7f3667f902b46edef5c847c0c9cca7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-05 / The work presented here - “Road BR-070: an reading of modernization and spatial goiana subtitles and motorcycle grossense. - ” aims to evaluate the road in the several social and economic situations it passed through since its imperial path condition, as corridor of gold flow and slave manpower, until the process of agricultural expansion of the country, with the implantation and modernization of the road network for the integration of regions from the states of Goiás and Mato Grosso with the national economy through the construction of Brasília and creation of programs and plans of investment in transportation infrastructure. Thus, we seek to understand the importance of the road in the paths network and in the road network built to link the interior of the country to areas of economic dynamism and ports. The problem that guided the reflections is: why a road with so important uses, a radial type, which connects Brasilia-DF to Cáceres-MT, still remains, in some stretches, with a infrastructure that remembers the paths of old times? The theoretical assumption to answer the problem raised is: the latitudinal spatialization of the BR-070 road does not achieve the role of integration and does not lead to the occupation and exploration of the country interior. The road roams great opaque stretches, without technical density, which the economic potential does not interest the hegemonic actors of capital and political from Goiás and Mato Grosso. The direction of occupation and exploration in course to the interior of Brasil is given for perpendicular roads to its axis, which pass through illuminated spaces of great technical density. Results from the analysis of the BR-070 road, an unfinished road, that shows distinct landscapes, which increase stagnant spaces. The proposal of methodology that guided the research was based in qualitative and quantitative results, with uses of several types of sources and resources to implement it. / O trabalho que ora se apresenta – “Rodovia BR-070: uma leitura da modernização e das legendas espaciais goiana e moto-grossense.” – objetiva avaliar a rodovia nas diversas situações socioeconômicas pelas quais passou, desde sua condição de caminho imperial, como corredor de escoamento do ouro e da mão de obra escrava, até o processo de expansão agrícola do país, com a implantação e a modernização da rede rodoviária para a integração das regiões goianas e mato-grossenses à economia nacional por meio da construção de Brasília e da criação de programas e planos de investimento em infraestrutura de transporte. Assim, buscamos entender qual a importância da rodovia na rede de caminhos e na rede rodoviária construída para ligar o interior do país às áreas de dinamismo econômico e portuário. O problema que guiou as reflexões é: por que uma rodovia com usos tão importantes, tida como radial, que liga Brasília-DF à Cáceres-MT, ainda permanece, em alguns trechos, com infraestrutura que lembra os tempos de caminhos antigos? O pressuposto teórico explicativo para responder ao problema levantado é: a espacialização latitudinal da rodovia BR-070 não cumpre o papel de integração e não leva à ocupação, à exploração do interior do país. Ela percorre grandes trechos opacos, sem densidade técnica, cujo potencial econômico não interessa aos atores hegemônicos do capital e da política goiana e mato-grossense. A direção de ocupação e a exploração rumo ao interior do Brasil se dá por rodovias perpendiculares ao seu eixo, que atravessam espaços luminosos de grande densidade técnica. Resulta disso, em se tratando da análise da BR-070, uma rodovia inacabada, que exibe paisagens distintas, que incrementa espaços estagnados. A proposta de metodologia que norteou a pesquisa fundamentou-se em resultados qualitativos e quantitativos, com usos de vários tipos de fontes e recursos para implementá-la.

The purpose of this research was to investigate the physical weathering of rock along the Victoria Land Coast, Antarctica. It was designed to contribute to the Latitudinal Gradient Project, a joint initiative between the New Zealand, Italian and United States Antarctic Programmes. The Latitudinal Gradient Project aims to improve our understanding of the ecosystems of the Dry Valleys and ice-free areas of the Ross Sea Region and, by using latitude as a proxy measure, identify how they might be affected by future climate change. The approach taken for this research was to use information on rock (from one rock group) temperature and moisture conditions gathered from three field locations to inform laboratory simulations. The laboratory simulations would then be used to investigate the weathering of small rock blocks and aggregates. Two temperature cycles approximating those experienced during summer and spring/autumn were identified and simulations undertaken in a specially adapted freezer. Three levels of moisture were applied: no moisture, half saturation and full saturation. Results of the laboratory simulations indicated that although rocks responded in different ways to different processes, granular disintegration took place even in the absence of additional moisture and did not require crossings of the 0 OC isotherm, nor were high levels of moisture required for across zero temperature cycling to produce weathering effects. A model that related weathering to latitude was developed and changes in climate explored. It was found that the weathering effect of summer and spring/autumn cycles was different and depended on rock characteristics rather than latitude. Increasing the ratio of summer to spring/autumn temperature cycles by 10% indicated that weathering could decrease or remain the same depending on the particular rock. Changes in temperature were found to be more important than changes in moisture. A weathering index that related local climate and rock properties to weathering was also developed and this highlighted the difficulties of using laboratory results to predict field rates of weathering. There were some surprising results from the field, including the presence of much more moisture on the surface of the rock, primarily from blowing snow, than had been predicted for this dry environment. This occurred even in the presence of negative rock surface temperatures. In addition, winter rock surface temperatures can fluctuate up to 25 OC, getting as warm as -10 OC. Macro-climate and changes in air temperature in response to foehn and katabatic winds were the drivers for these fluctuations.

The natural world consists of a vast array of forms, some more plentiful than others, yet our understanding of the processes responsible the production of biological diversity remains surprisingly limited. Here I combine novel datasets with powerful phylogenetic modeling techniques and computer simulations to test the effects of both biotic and abiotic factors on the dynamics of species radiations and the evolution of organism traits in birds. In the first part of this thesis, I develop our understanding of the importance of abiotic factors for diversification by showing that in the early stages of lineage diversification at least, rapid adaptation to novel climatic conditions is likely to represent a prominent driver of avian diversification. In the second part I concentrate on the role of biotic factors, in particular that of sexual selection. I show that not only is sexual selection associated with accelerated rates of speciation and secondary sympatry—as well as faster rates of net diversification across the entire avian tree of life—but also that across-species variation in rates of phenotypic evolution is best understood with reference to the focus and intensity of sexual selection. Finally, given that the relative importance of such processes appears to vary predictably across latitudes, in the final part of the thesis I argue that latitudinal differences in the speciation process offers a potentially powerful explanation for conflicting viewpoints regarding the contribution of speciation to high tropical diversity. Overall, this work provides fresh insight into the processes governing broad-scale patterns in biodiversity.

Climate and longleaf pine (Pinus palustris P. Mill.) radial growth relationships have been documented within its southern and western distribution. However, knowledge of this relationship is lacking along its northern latitudinal range margin (NLRM). Based on the principles of ecological amplitude, limiting factors, and studies of coniferous species in eastern temperate forests of the U.S., we hypothesized that the radial growth of longleaf pine in mixed pine-hardwood forests is responding to winter temperatures in southeastern Virginia. Two longleaf pine chronologies were developed to determine the relationship between radial growth and monthly temperature, precipitation, and Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) via response function analysis (RFA). Results at the 0.05 level yielded significant response function coefficients with a positive response to current winter temperature and precipitation and a negative response to prior August PDSI. In studies of climate and longleaf pine radial growth in other parts of its range, winter temperature and precipitation have not shared a significant positive association with radial growth. Instead current spring and summer precipitation usually share this positive association. These findings add more evidence to an emerging pattern suggesting that winter temperatures contribute to limiting the radial growth of temperate conifers at northern range margins in the Northern Hemisphere.

Paleokarst deposits from the Oligo-Miocene of northern Florida preserve undescribed herpetofaunal remains that fill important temporal and geographic gaps in our understanding of Cenozoic lizard evolution. Here I describe and discuss the non-anguimorph lizard diversity of the Brooksville 2 (Ar2) and Miller (He1) local faunas to test for patterns of regional and latitudinal provincialism in the contemporary North American record. Collectively, the sites are significant for documenting 1) extralimital occurrences of the tropical clades Anolis and Corytophaninae, 2) a substantial temporal range extension of the modern southeastern endemic Rhineuridae, 3) the earliest record of eublepharid gekkotans from North America, and 4) the early Miocene arrival of “cnemidophorine” teiids from South America. This work complements recent studies of older, Eocene lizards by others and lends paleontological support to aspects of the tropical conservatism hypothesis: lineages now confined to the tropics were present at higher latitudes when megathermal climates were more extensive.

<p>For ectotherms living in seasonal environments, time available for development and growth is often constrained by the length of the growth season. Declining season length towards higher latitudes often select for latitudinal clines in development and growth rates, exhibiting increasing growth and developmental rates towards the north. However, the physiological and ecological factors enabling these clines are poorly understood.</p><p>Our study system included eight populations of <i>Rana temporaria</i> along a 1500 km latitudinal gradient. We found increased growth rates in populations at higher latitudes to be the result of higher growth efficiency, partly due to increased relative gut length. Populations with higher growth rates also exhibited lower standard metabolic rates, implying that fast-growing individuals are able to achieve high growth rates by spending less energy on maintenance metabolism under low activity conditions.</p><p>Predator densities, and antipredatory defenses in prey, are assumed to decrease towards higher latitudes. While all study populations responded to predator presence by decreasing activity and foraging, high latitude populations maintained higher activity levels in the presence of the predator. In trials with a free-ranging predator, high latitude tadpoles experienced higher mortality than those from the low latitudes. The higher activity level in the northern populations increases mortality under predation risk, but is probably needed to maintain high growth and development rates.</p><p>When competing over resources, tadpoles from the low latitude population were inferior competitors, as indicated by their longer development time when raised together with high latitude tadpoles. We found no effect of latitude on size-corrected burst speed. The general effect of predator presence on burst speed depended on food availability, with well fed tadpoles being faster in the absence, and food restricted being faster in the presence of a predator.</p>

For ectotherms living in seasonal environments, time available for development and growth is often constrained by the length of the growth season. Declining season length towards higher latitudes often select for latitudinal clines in development and growth rates, exhibiting increasing growth and developmental rates towards the north. However, the physiological and ecological factors enabling these clines are poorly understood. Our study system included eight populations of Rana temporaria along a 1500 km latitudinal gradient. We found increased growth rates in populations at higher latitudes to be the result of higher growth efficiency, partly due to increased relative gut length. Populations with higher growth rates also exhibited lower standard metabolic rates, implying that fast-growing individuals are able to achieve high growth rates by spending less energy on maintenance metabolism under low activity conditions. Predator densities, and antipredatory defenses in prey, are assumed to decrease towards higher latitudes. While all study populations responded to predator presence by decreasing activity and foraging, high latitude populations maintained higher activity levels in the presence of the predator. In trials with a free-ranging predator, high latitude tadpoles experienced higher mortality than those from the low latitudes. The higher activity level in the northern populations increases mortality under predation risk, but is probably needed to maintain high growth and development rates. When competing over resources, tadpoles from the low latitude population were inferior competitors, as indicated by their longer development time when raised together with high latitude tadpoles. We found no effect of latitude on size-corrected burst speed. The general effect of predator presence on burst speed depended on food availability, with well fed tadpoles being faster in the absence, and food restricted being faster in the presence of a predator.