What did the $Q_{ ext{ST}}$ versus $F_{ ext{ST}}$ analysis confirm about trait variation drivers?
Trait variation was significantly linked to the ecological gradient (climate suitability)
The comparative analysis between trait divergence ($Q_{ ext{ST}}$) and neutral genetic differentiation ($F_{ ext{ST}}$) in the eastern wood frog populations provided clarity on the forces molding their larval characteristics. The results indicated that the variation observed in traits was not merely a byproduct of random geographic separation (Isolation by Distance, IBD). Instead, the analysis confirmed a significant association between the measured trait variation and the underlying ecological gradient, specifically climate suitability. This link implies that local adaptation (Isolation by Environment, IBE) is the primary driver shaping how traits, like developmental timing and body size potential, differ across the range, reflecting long-term selective pressures from local climatic conditions.
