CaecilianTraits

Functional traits are different among species, which determine the ecological niche a species occupied and the ability of the species to adapt to environment. However, differences in traits also exist at intraspecific level. Such variations shape differences in individual survival capabilities. Investigating the intraspecific differences of functional traits is important for ecology, evolutionary biology and biodiversity conservation. Individual trait-based approaches have been applied in plant ecology. But for animals, most databases only provide data at the species level. In this study, we presented a global database of morphological traits for caecilians (Amphibia, Gymnophiona) at individual-level. Caecilians are a unique group of amphibians characterized by their secretive habits, which also have limited our understanding of this taxon. We compiled the most comprehensive database covering 218 out of 222 known species, with 159 of them have individual-level data. This database will facilitate research in the ecology, evolutionary biology, conservation biology, and taxonomy of caecilians. Furthermore, this dataset can be utilized to test ecological and evolutionary hypotheses at the individual level.

功能性状（functional traits）在物种间存在分化，其决定了物种所占据的生态位（ecological niche）以及物种适应环境的能力。然而，种内水平（intraspecific level）上同样存在性状差异。此类种内变异会塑造个体生存能力的分化。探究功能性状的种内差异，对于生态学、进化生物学及生物多样性保护均具有重要意义。基于个体性状的研究方法已在植物生态学中得到应用，但针对动物类群而言，多数数据库仅提供物种水平的数据。本研究构建了一套全球尺度的蚓螈（Caecilians）个体水平（individual-level）形态性状数据库，该类群隶属于两栖纲（Amphibia）蚓螈目（Gymnophiona）。蚓螈是一类以隐秘栖息习性为典型特征的独特两栖类群，这也限制了学界对该类群的认知。本数据库整合了目前最为全面的蚓螈形态性状数据，涵盖已知222个蚓螈物种中的218种，其中159种具备个体水平的观测数据。该数据库将推动蚓螈生态学、进化生物学、保护生物学以及分类学领域的相关研究。此外，本数据集还可用于在个体水平上验证生态学与进化生物学相关假说。