Data from: Patterns of genetic variation in desiccation tolerance in embryos of the terrestrial-breeding frog, Pseudophryne guentheri

Environmental change often requires evolutionary responses, and therefore
understanding the genetic architecture of susceptible populations is
essential for predicting their capacity to respond adaptively. However,
quantitative genetic studies are rarely targeted at populations considered
vulnerable to such environmental perturbations. Here, we assess the level
of heritable variation in the ability of embryos to tolerate desiccation
stress in Pseudophryne guentheri, a terrestrial-breeding frog that is
currently experiencing a drying climate. We applied a North Carolina II
breeding design to identify sources of genetic and environmental variance,
and genotype-by-environment interactions (GEIs), underlying the expression
of embryo survival, hatching times, hatchling mass, size and shape. Our
analysis revealed highly significant effects of water potential and
maternal effects on all measured traits, while additive genetic effects
were significant for hatchling shape and non-additive effects were
observed for embryo survival. Interestingly, GEIs, including for some
traits complex three-way sire-by-dam-by-environment interactions, were
significant, indicating that progeny from certain male-female crosses were
more tolerant to water stress than others. These findings suggest a
limited capacity of P. guentheri to respond to a drying climate, but also
reveal that the detrimental effects of non-viable male-female crosses
(i.e. genetic incompatibility) can be masked in benign environments.