Evolutionary Strategies in Lizard Reproduction

Tinkle, Donald W.; Wilbur, Henry M.; Tilley, Stephen G.

doi:10.2307/2406714

Cited by 253 publications

(270 citation statements)

References 3 publications

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“…Aquino, unpubl. data), Leposoma scincoides (TEIXEIRA & FONSECA 2003), Cercosaura eigenmannii (Griffin, 1917) (VITT et al 1998), Alopoglossus angulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) and A. atriventis (TINKLE et al 1970), leading females to produce clutches in a fast, consecutive, and continuous fashion (ANDREWS & RAND 1974, VITT 1986, DOUGHTY 1997, PIANKA & VITT 2003. Indeed, most reproduction of D. nordestina occurs from May to June (when most reproductive females and the only gravid ones were found), with most juveniles emerging subsequently from July through November.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Autoecology of Dryadosaura nordestina (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Atlantic forest fragments in Northeastern Brazil

Garda¹,

Medeiros²,

Lion³

et al. 2014

Zoologia (Curitiba)

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ABSTRACT. Life history parameters such as diet, reproduction, and sexual dimorphism are crucial to understand ecological and evolutionary forces shaping species traits. Nevertheless, such information is scant in the literature for most Neotropical squamates. Gymnophthalmidae contains over 242 species in 46 genera and includes small-size, mostly terrestrial species, although psamophilic, semi-aquatic, and low vegetation dwellers also occur. Dryadosaura is a monospecific genus -Dryadosaura nordestina Rodrigues et al., 2005 -, occurring in Atlantic Forest areas from Rio Grande do Norte to Northern Bahia, and little is known about its ecology and natural history. We analyzed the species' diet, reproduction, and sexual dimorphism based on 170 specimens deposited in museum collections. Dryadosaura nordestina is considered generalist and active forager, based on dietary items. Arthropods, especially ants and insect larvae, dominate the diet. The reproductive period shows a peak during the rainy season (May through June), while recruitment occurs from July through November. Males are significantly larger than females, and sexes can also be distinguished based on shape variables: males have higher heads and longer bodies, while body height and width are larger in females.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Autoecology of Dryadosaura nordestina (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Atlantic forest fragments in Northeastern Brazil

Garda¹,

Medeiros²,

Lion³

et al. 2014

Zoologia (Curitiba)

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“…Previous reviews of other lizards (20,21,34) report 11 species as putatively annual. However, in all species in which survivorship was quantified by the original authors (cf.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are no examples of annual amphibians (18). Among reptiles, lizards exhibit the shortest life spans (19), although the shortest-lived are capable of longevity Ͼ1 year with multiple clutches per lifetime (20,21). However, we know very little about taxa such as chameleons, which have proved difficult to study in the field because of poor visibility in forest canopies, compounded by the secretive and cryptic behavior of the animals themselves (22).…”

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confidence: 99%

A unique life history among tetrapods: An annual chameleon living mostly as an egg

Karsten

Andriamandimbiarisoa

Fox

et al. 2008

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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The Ϸ28,300 species of tetrapods (four-limbed vertebrates) almost exclusively have perennial life spans. Here, we report the discovery of a remarkable annual tetrapod from the arid southwest of Madagascar: the chameleon Furcifer labordi, with a posthatching life span of just 4 -5 months. At the start of the active season (November), an age cohort of hatchlings emerges; larger juveniles or adults are not present. These hatchlings grow rapidly, reach sexual maturity in less than 2 months, and reproduce in JanuaryFebruary. After reproduction, senescence appears, and the active season concludes with population-wide adult death. Consequently, during the dry season, the entire population is represented by developing eggs that incubate for 8 -9 months before synchronously hatching at the onset of the following rainy season. Remarkably, this chameleon spends more of its short annual life cycle inside the egg than outside of it. Our review of tetrapod longevity (>1,700 species) finds no others with such a short life span. These findings suggest that the notorious rapid death of chameleons in captivity may, for some species, actually represent the natural adult life span. Consequently, a new appraisal may be warranted concerning the viability of chameleon breeding programs, which could have special significance for species of conservation concern. Additionally, because F. labordi is closely related to other perennial species, this chameleon group may prove also to be especially well suited for comparative studies that focus on life history evolution and the ecological, genetic, and/or hormonal determinants of aging, longevity, and senescence.Madagascar ͉ lizard ͉ longevity ͉ semelparity ͉ senescence

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“…400km south of SGA in the municipality of Exú, state of Pernambuco, Brazil -were found with eggs throughout the year. Vitt (1983) also found that many female A. ocellifera were apt to produce short term multiple clutches, which might be an effi cient strategy to increase reproductive output when females produce small clutches (Tinkle et al 1969, Manríquez-Morán et al 2005, Vitt and Zani 2005. However, contrary to females from Exú, the low number of females investing in short time multiple reproduction in SGA might constitute an evidence that they benefit from inter-spacing reproduction over a relatively large time period during the year.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Reproduction of a whiptail lizard (Ameivula ocellifera, Teiidae) from a coastal area in northeastern Brazil

Zanchi-Silva

Borges-Nojosa

Galdino

2014

An. Acad. Bras. Ciênc.

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The reproductive ecology of Ameivula ocellifera was studied from September 2009 to August 2010 in a coastal area of the state of Ceará, Brazil. Females reproduced continuously throughout the year, with a peak at the end of the rainy season. Even though there was a predominance of pre-reproductive individuals in the sample, gonadal activity of males peaked synchronously to female reproduction. Mean clutch size was 1.98 ± 0.56 and positively associated with female body size, while mean egg volume was 510.54 ± 84.29 mm 3 and unrelated to female body size. We did not find any association between clutch size and average egg volume.

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Evolutionary Strategies in Lizard Reproduction

Cited by 253 publications

References 3 publications

Autoecology of Dryadosaura nordestina (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Atlantic forest fragments in Northeastern Brazil

Autoecology of Dryadosaura nordestina (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae) from Atlantic forest fragments in Northeastern Brazil

A unique life history among tetrapods: An annual chameleon living mostly as an egg

Reproduction of a whiptail lizard (Ameivula ocellifera, Teiidae) from a coastal area in northeastern Brazil

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