University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) under permanent embargo

Interpopulational variation in costs of reproduction related to pregnancy in a viviparous lizard

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 14:37 authored by Itonaga, K, Ashley EdwardsAshley Edwards, Erik WapstraErik Wapstra, Susan JonesSusan Jones
Interpopulational variation in reproductive costs may affect variation in life history traits including reproductive investment (i.e. clutch mass relative to either maternal body mass or length). While the relationships between reproductive investment and costs of reproduction, especially costs to mobility, have been well studied in squamate reptiles, how these costs relate to investment and explain patterns within and between populations is not always straightforward. In the present study, we examined the relationship between reproductive investment and costs of reproduction (gravid and postpartum sprint speeds and maternal postpartum body condition) in two populations of a viviparous skink, Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii living in different habitat types. We found that costs of reproduction (i.e. impact on gravid and postpartum sprint speeds) depended on the interaction between relative reproductive burden (RRB) and population. There was no link between relative clutch mass (RCM) and maternal sprint speeds. Maternal postpartum body condition was not related to either RRB or RCM for either population. Gravid females living in the open habitat population showed significantly slower sprint speed compared with the same females immediately postparturition, and other gravid females living in a closed habitat population. Such females are likely to experience a higher cost of reproduction in terms of changes in sprint speed as well as exposure to predators and may show a behavioural shift to crypsis in order to compensate for locomotor impairment and to reduce the risk of predation. We suggest that factors which relate to costs of reproduction (i.e. sprint speeds) are complex and may involve multiple factors such as reproductive investment and habitat characteristics.

History

Publication title

Ethology Ecology and Evolution

Volume

24

Issue

4

Pagination

367-376

ISSN

0394-9370

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Taylor & Francis Ltd.

Place of publication

4 Park Sq, Milton Park, Oxfordshire OX144RN, UK

Rights statement

Copyright 2012 Dipartimento di Biologia Evoluzionistica dell’Università, Firenze, Italia

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC