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Potentially adaptive effects of maternal nutrition during gestation on offspring phenotype of a viviparous reptile
Citation
Cadby, CD and Jones, SM and Wapstra, E, Potentially adaptive effects of maternal nutrition during gestation on offspring phenotype of a viviparous reptile, Journal of Experimental Biology, 214, (24) pp. 4234-4239. ISSN 0022-0949 (2011) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2011 The Company of Biologists Ltd
Abstract
Viviparous reptiles have been used as model species for many studies that seek to explain the evolution of viviparity. The vast
majority of such studies have focused on the advantage viviparity provides with regards to maternal control of embryonic
developmental temperature. However, viviparity may also allow increased control of nutrient transfer, such that mothers
adaptively manipulate offspring phenotype through varying maternal nutritional support. Because maternal nutritional transfer is
temperature dependent, maternal nutritional strategies may vary between climatically distinct populations. In this study we used
an orthogonal experimental design in which mothers and offspring from climatically distinct populations of a viviparous skink
(Niveoscincus ocellatus) were allocated randomly to either a protein-rich or a protein-poor diet. Our results suggest that N.
ocellatus mothers are able to compensate for sub-optimal nutritional conditions and can adaptively manipulate offspring
phenotype to best fit the postnatal nutritional environment. Furthermore, maternal nutritional strategies appear to vary between
climatically distinct populations. These results suggest that in viviparous reptiles, matrotrophy provides a means of producing an
adaptive offspring phenotype, in addition to maternal control of developmental temperature.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
| Research Group: | Evolutionary biology |
| Research Field: | Evolution of developmental systems |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean environments |
| Objective Field: | Assessment and management of Antarctic and Southern Ocean ecosystems |
| UTAS Author: | Cadby, CD (Dr Chloe Bibari) |
| UTAS Author: | Jones, SM (Professor Susan Jones) |
| UTAS Author: | Wapstra, E (Associate Professor Erik Wapstra) |
| ID Code: | 74542 |
| Year Published: | 2011 |
| Web of Science® Times Cited: | 18 |
| Deposited By: | Zoology |
| Deposited On: | 2011-12-07 |
| Last Modified: | 2017-10-31 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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