| Are babies better in autumn or spring? The consequences of extending gestation in a biennially reproducing viviparous lizard. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 17525954 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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Niveoscincus microlepidotus, the southern snow skink, is a biennially reproducing alpine viviparous lizard with an extremely protracted gestation period: embryos are fully developed in autumn, but held over winter so that offspring are born in spring. The obvious benefits for offspring survival of delaying birth until spring have been demonstrated previously. To examine the consequences of deferred parturition for offspring characteristics, we compared neonates obtained in autumn by dissection with neonates born naturally in the spring. Our results demonstrate that deferral of parturition until spring represents a trade-off between key offspring characteristics (spring neonates exhibit lower growth rates, reduced sprint speed after birth, reduced condition and decreased energy reserves) and offspring size [spring neonates are heavier (wet mass) and longer (snout-vent length)]. Furthermore, when females are placed into cold experimental conditions in spring around the time of natural parturition, this species is able to defer parturition for an additional 4 weeks with no significant effect on offspring characteristics. Our results provide further evidence that flexibility in birth date provides a significant advantage to viviparous lizards living in cold climates. |
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Authors:
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Natalia Atkins; Roy Swain; Susan M Jones |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of experimental zoology. Part A, Ecological genetics and physiology Volume: 307 ISSN: 1932-5223 ISO Abbreviation: J Exp Zool A Ecol Genet Physiol Publication Date: 2007 Jul |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2007-06-25 Completed Date: 2008-03-06 Revised Date: 2009-10-05 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101297745 Medline TA: J Exp Zool A Ecol Genet Physiol Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 397-405 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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School of Zoology, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia. |
Export Citation:
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| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Adaptation, Biological
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physiology* Analysis of Variance Animals Clutch Size Female Lizards / growth & development, physiology* Reproduction / physiology* Seasons* Tasmania Temperature Time Factors |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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