Data from: The evolution of reproductive diversity in Afrobatrachia: a phylogenetic comparative analysis of an extensive radiation of African frogs

The reproductive modes of anurans (frogs and toads) are the most diverse of terrestrial vertebrates, and a major challenge is identifying selective factors that promote the evolution or retention of reproductive modes across clades. Terrestrialized anuran breeding strategies have evolved repeatedly from the plesiomorphic fully aquatic reproductive mode, a process thought to occur through intermediate reproductive stages. Several selective forces have been proposed for the evolution of terrestrialized reproductive traits, but factors such as water systems and co-evolution with ecomorphologies have not been investigated. We examined these topics in a comparative phylogenetic framework using Afrobatrachian frogs, an ecologically and reproductively diverse clade representing more than half of the total frog diversity found in Africa (∼400 species). We infer direct development has evolved twice independently from terrestrialized reproductive modes involving subterranean or terrestrial oviposition, supporting evolution through intermediate stages. We also detect associations between specific ecomorphologies and oviposition sites, and demonstrate arboreal species exhibit an overall shift towards using lentic water systems for breeding. These results indicate that changes in microhabitat use associated with ecomorphology, which allow access to novel sites for reproductive behavior, oviposition, or larval development, may also promote reproductive mode diversity in anurans.无尾类（anurans，即蛙和蟾蜍）的繁殖模式是陆生脊椎动物中最为多样的，当前一项核心研究挑战在于，如何识别出能够推动各演化支繁殖模式演化或维持其存续的选择因子。陆生化的无尾类繁殖策略多次独立起源于祖征性的完全水生繁殖模式，这一演化过程被认为是通过一系列中间繁殖阶段完成的。此前已有多项研究提出了多种选择压力以解释陆生化繁殖性状的演化，但诸如水体系统与生态形态学协同演化等相关因素尚未得到系统探究。本研究以非洲板齿蛙类（Afrobatrachian frogs）这一兼具生态与繁殖多样性的演化支为研究对象——该支系涵盖了非洲已知蛙类总多样性的一半以上（约400个物种），并依托比较系统发育框架（comparative phylogenetic framework）对上述议题展开了探究。我们推断，直接发育曾两次独立起源于涉及地下或陆地产卵的陆生化繁殖模式，这一结果为"通过中间阶段完成演化"的假说提供了支持。本研究还检测到特定生态形态类型与产卵位点之间存在显著关联，并证实树栖类群整体上转向利用静水水体系统开展繁殖活动。上述结果表明，与生态形态相关的微生境利用变化，能够为物种提供全新的繁殖行为、产卵或幼体发育位点，这一机制或许同样能够推动无尾类繁殖模式的多样性演化。