scholarly journals Clutch size in the small-sized lizard Eurolophosaurus nanuzae (Tropiduridae): does it vary along the geographic distribution of the species?

2011 ◽  
Vol 101 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 61-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Conrado A. B Galdino ◽  
Monique Van Sluys
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Rock Outcrop ◽  
Female Body Size ◽  
Clutch Mass

We studied life history traits of females of the lizard Eurolophosaurus nanuzae (Rodrigues, 1981), an endemic species of rock outcrop habitats in southeastern Brazil. During October 2002 and 2003 we sampled three populations in sites that encompass the meridional portion of the geographic range of the species. Clutch size varied from one to three eggs, with most females carrying two eggs. Clutch size did not vary among populations, but was correlated to female body size. Only larger females produced clutches of three eggs. Females of the small-sized E. nanuzae produce eggs as large as those of medium-sized tropidurids, thus investing a considerable amount of energy to produce clutches resulting in high values of relative clutch mass.

scholarly journals Quality versus quantity: The balance between egg and clutch size among Australian amphibians is related to life history and environmental conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Gould ◽  
Chad Beranek ◽  
Jose Valdez ◽  
Michael Mahony
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Parental Care ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Female Body ◽  
Inverse Relationship ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Egg Laying ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Female Body Size

AbstractAn inverse relationship between egg and clutch size has been found repeatedly across animal groups, including birds, reptiles and amphibians, and is considered to be a result of resource limitations and physical constraints on the reproducing female. However, few studies have contextualised this relationship with respect to various environmental selecting pressures and life history traits that have also likely influenced the selection of an optimal egg/clutch size combination, while even fewer have tested these interrelationships using robust natural history datasets. In this study, we aimed to test current hypothesises regarding these relationships on both egg and clutch sizes among the Australian Anurans, which to date have not received this kind of investigation. Specifically, we looked at the influence of environmental selecting pressures (egg laying location, environment persistence and bioregion) and life history traits (adult female body size, egg development type, parental care level, breeding period and temporal breeding pattern). As expected, a clear inverse relationship was found between egg and clutch size, while female body size was positively related to both. Generally speaking, smaller clutches of larger eggs tended to be produced by species that i) oviposit terrestrially, ii) showcase direct development and iii) possess high levels of parental care. Temporal breeding pattern was strongly related to clutch size only, with large clutches occurring in explosive breeding species, while breeding habitat was strongly related to egg size only, with large eggs sizes occurring in terrestrial species. Altogether, these findings indicate that numerous factors have likely influenced the evolution of an optimal clutch type in this group, highlighting the importance of incorporating such variables into animal studies on egg and clutch sizes.

scholarly journals GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN SELECTED LIFE HISTORY TRAITS OF THE EASTERN NARROWMOUTH TOAD, GASTROPHRYNE CAROLINENSIS (HOLBROOK, 1836), ALONG THE NORTHEASTERN EDGE OF ITS GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

2015 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Walter E. Meshaka, Jr. ◽  
Pablo R. Delis ◽  
Katie Walters
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Female Body Size ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Climatic Constraints ◽  
Body Sizes ◽  
Gastrophryne Carolinensis

We examined the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad,Gastrophryne carolinensis, along the northeastern edge of its geographic range in Virginia to determine the extent to which selected life history traits in this region adhered to patterns associated with a latitudinal gradient in this species. As in studies elsewhere, a significant difference in mean adult body size between males (28.3 mm SVL) and females (30.1 mm SVL) was typical of this species as was the absence of a relationship between clutch size and female body size. Mean body sizes of both sexes appeared larger in northern populations than southern counterparts. Geographically predictable, the breeding season in Virginia was severely curtailed in response to climatic constraints despite extended fertility, and its breeding activity peaked in mid-summer as it has been reported to do throughout its geographic range. Thus, along the northern edge of its geographic range, the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad retains its ability breed for a longer season despite present climatic constraints, an advantage in the face of climate change that could alter timing and duration of acceptable breeding atmospheric conditions.

Clutch Mass, Offspring Mass, and Clutch Size: Body Mass Scaling and Taxonomic and Environmental Variation

2018 ◽  
pp. 68-97
Author(s):  
Douglas S. Glazier
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Life History Evolution ◽  
Offspring Size ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
Mass Scaling ◽  
Scaling Relationships ◽  
Clutch Mass

In this chapter, I show how clutch mass, offspring (egg) mass, and clutch size relate to body mass among species of branchiopod, maxillipod, and malacostracan crustaceans, as well as how these important life history traits vary among major taxa and environments independently of body size. Clutch mass relates strongly and nearly isometrically to body mass, probably because of physical volumetric constraints. By contrast, egg mass and clutch size relate more weakly and curvilinearly to body mass and vary in inverse proportion to one another, thus indicating a fundamental trade-off, which occurs within many crustacean taxa as well. In general, offspring (egg) size and number and their relationships to body mass appear to be more ecologically sensitive and evolutionarily malleable than clutch mass. The body mass scaling relationships of egg mass and clutch size show much more taxonomic and ecological variation (log-log scaling slopes varying from near 0 to almost 1 among major taxa) than do those for clutch mass, a pattern also observed in other animal taxa. The curvilinear body mass scaling relationships of egg mass and number also suggest a significant, size-related shift in how natural selection affects offspring versus maternal fitness. As body size increases, selection apparently predominantly favors increases in offspring size and fitness up to an asymptote, beyond which increases in offspring number and thus maternal fitness are preferentially favored. Crustaceans not only offer excellent opportunities for furthering our general understanding of life history evolution, but also their ecological and economic importance warrants further study of the various factors affecting their reproductive success.

scholarly journals Body size, female reproduction and sexual dimorphism in the lizard Ameiva ameiva (Teiidae) in a restinga of southeastern Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 370-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Frederico Duarte Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Sexual Dimorphism ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Sexually Dimorphic ◽  
Female Reproduction ◽  
Female Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Body

In this study 57 specimens of the lizard Ameiva ameiva (Linnaeus, 1758) collected in the restinga at Barra de Maricá, in the state of Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, were analyzed to investigate size relations and reproduction (in females) and sexual dimorphism of this population. We answered the following questions: 1) what is the minimum reproductive body size in females? 2) what is the average clutch size and 3) how is clutch size related to body size? 4) Are body and head sizes sexually dimorphic? Mean clutch size was 6.7 ± 2.1 eggs and was positively correlated with female body size. Sexual dimorphism favoring males was found: adult mean snout-vent length was great in males (124.2 ± 17.8 mm) than females (96.5 ± 23.1 mm SVL), and males were larger with respect to head width and length, and body mass. Thus, despite the marked seasonality at Barra de Maricá, A. ameiva has an extended reproductive period. Also, intrasexual selection may have acted on females to produce larger clutches, and on males, favoring larger males.

Clutch and egg size of the tropical lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Tropiduridae) along its geographic range in coastal eastern Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 86 (12) ◽  
pp. 1376-1388 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. Kiefer ◽  
M. Van Sluys ◽  
C. F.D. Rocha
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Female Body ◽  
Egg Size ◽  
Reproductive Investment ◽  
Geographic Range ◽  
Minimum Size ◽  
Brazilian Coast ◽  
Female Body Size ◽  
Almost All

The tropidurid lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Wied, 1820) has a set of populations inhabiting coastal sand dune habitats (“restinga”) along the eastern Brazilian coast. Despite its wide geographic range, there is no information about geographic variation in reproductive features among its populations. In the present study we compared some reproductive aspects of females in 10 coastal populations of T. torquatus, aiming to evaluate to what extension they vary geographically. The minimum size at maturity was relatively similar to most populations, but mean female body size had a considerable variation. Clutch size of almost all coastal populations of T. torquatus had little variation and was composed predominantly of two eggs. Interpopulational variation in the mean egg volume was relatively wide and strongly influenced by the variation in mean female body size. The data of the present study indicated that females of almost all coastal populations of T. torquatus produce, predominantly, clutches with two eggs and invest more energy in egg size instead of clutch size, probably as a consequence of morphological and environmental factors. The increased reproductive investment in egg size was confirmed by the values obtained for the relative clutch mass, which remained relatively constant along the coastal geographic distribution of T. torquatus.

scholarly journals Implicaciones de la precipitación sobre la evolución del tamaño corporal y distancia interaxilar en el complejo Aspidoscelis gularis (Squamata: Teiidae)

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos Pérez-Almazán ◽  
Norma Leticia Manríquez-Morán ◽  
Miguel Balderas-Plata ◽  
Xanat Antonio-Némiga ◽  
Saúl López-Alcaide
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Phylogenetic Signal ◽  
Small Body ◽  
Relative Mass ◽  
Independent Contrasts ◽  
Size And Shape ◽  
Phylogenetically Independent Contrasts

Life history traits are highly variable attributes that maximize organisms’s adaptation. The relationship of weight and body size with environmental changes and habitat heterogeneity has been documented in previous reports; and size and body shapes are both considered life history attributes that are associated with rainfall, that boost available resources in the environment. While in Aspidoscelis genus, clutch size and relative mass are mainly associated with latitude and altitude, in Aspidoscelis gularis, winter rainfall favors two reproductive seasons, which may determine season variable clutch size. With the aim to study this, samplings were undertaken from May-July 2013, and May-September 2015. A total of 65 individuals lizards of the Southeast clade were obtained, and body length and interaxilar distance measurements were taken; furthermore, hepatic tissue samples were taken for DNA extraction, which allowed us to analyze phylogenetic relationships through a Bayesian Inference analysis, and subsequently, to apply Phylogenetic Comparative Methods (like phylogenetic signal, phylogenetically independent contrasts and reconstruction of ancestral character). Our results showed that there is a low phylogenetic signal regarding body size and shape, while the phylogenetically independent contrasts and reconstruction of ancestral characters suggest that small body sizes are associated to locations with highest rainfall. This can be associated to an establishment of an early sexual maturity, which reflects the maximum size of adults. Furthermore, according to an ANOVA and ANCOVA, there were statistically significant differences in body size and shape respectively, which promote a system for sexual competition for males and a system for fertility in females. These results were important to determine the effect of rainfall on some life history traits, pointing out that lizards of the Southeast clade, belonging to the A. gularis complex were able to face different selection pressures, determined by the environment.

scholarly journals Fish movement in an Atlantic Forest stream

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosana Mazzoni ◽  
Miriam Plaza Pinto ◽  
Ricardo Iglesias-Rios ◽  
Raquel Costa
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Fish Length ◽  
Fish Movement ◽  
Species Identity ◽  
Forest Stream ◽  
Specific Behaviour

ABSTRACT Given the importance of fish movement to the dynamics and maintenance of stream dwelling fish communities from the Atlantic Forest, we analysed patterns of fish movement in a coastal stream from Southeastern Brazil, using mark-recapture technique. Displacement distance of each species were presented and discussed considering seasonal (rainy and dry) and body size patterns. We marked 10 species along the stream and recaptured 440 (34.6%) of the 1,270 marked fishes. The species with significant number of upstream moving individuals were Astyanax janeiroensis, Characidium interruptum, Astyanax hastatus, Parotocinclus maculicauda and Awaous tajasica. Only Pimelodella lateristriga presented significant differences between resident and moving individuals. Characidium interruptum and A. tajasica demonstrated greater downstream and upstream movement, respectively, moving up to 2,100 m. Even after controlling for species identity we found no significant correlation between fish length and individual displacement distance. Fishes moved longer distances during the rainy season, in accordance to the breeding season. Patterns of fish movement were in agreement to life-history traits of many of the studied species and can be reflecting specific behaviour and morphologies.

Differential effects on life history traits and body size of two anuran species inhabiting an environment related to fluorite mine

2018 ◽  
Vol 93 ◽  
pp. 36-44 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel A. Otero ◽  
Favio E. Pollo ◽  
Pablo R. Grenat ◽  
Nancy E. Salas ◽  
Adolfo L. Martino
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Differential Effects ◽  
Anuran Species

scholarly journals Life history and habitat do not mediate temporal changes in body size due to climate warming in rodents

PeerJ ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. e9792
Author(s):  
Aluwani Nengovhela ◽  
Christiane Denys ◽  
Peter J. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Climate Warming ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Vegetation Type ◽  
Reproductive Rate ◽  
Temporal Changes ◽  
Temporal Response ◽  
Extrinsic Factors ◽  
African Species

Temporal changes in body size have been documented in a number of vertebrate species, with different contested drivers being suggested to explain these changes. Among these are climate warming, resource availability, competition, predation risk, human population density, island effects and others. Both life history traits (intrinsic factors such as lifespan and reproductive rate) and habitat (extrinsic factors such as vegetation type, latitude and elevation) are expected to mediate the existence of a significant temporal response of body size to climate warming but neither have been widely investigated. Using examples of rodents, we predicted that both life history traits and habitat might explain the probability of temporal response using two tests of this hypothesis. Firstly, taking advantage of new data from museum collections spanning the last 106 years, we investigated geographical and temporal variation in cranial size (a proxy for body size) in six African rodent species of two murid subfamilies (Murinae and Gerbillinae) of varying life history, degree of commensality, range size, and habitat. Two species, the commensal Mastomys natalensis, and the non-commensal Otomys unisulcatus showed significant temporal changes in body size, with the former increasing and the latter decreasing, in relation with climate warming. Commensalism could explain the increase in size with time due to steadily increasing food availability through increased agricultural production. Apart from this, we found no general life history or habitat predictors of a temporal response in African rodents. Secondly, in order to further test this hypothesis, we incorporated our data into a meta-analysis based on published literature on temporal responses in rodents, resulting in a combined dataset for 50 species from seven families worldwide; among these, 29 species showed no significant change, eight showed a significant increase in size, and 13 showed a decline in size. Using a binomial logistic regression model for these metadata, we found that none of our chosen life history or habitat predictors could significantly explain the probability of a temporal response to climate warming, reinforcing our conclusion based on the more detailed data from the six African species.

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