Female reproductive characteristics of the Horvath’s rock lizard (Iberolacerta horvathi) from Slovenia

Archives of Biological Sciences

关键词: Life history;    lacertid lizard;    trade-off;    clutch size;   

DOI  :  10.2298/ABS1202639L

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

In this paper, we present data on the female reproductive traits of theHorvath’s rock lizard from Slovenia. The clutch, egg and hatchlingcharacteristics were investigated based on clutches laid in laboratoryconditions by pregnant females collected from a natural population. A femalelays one clutch of eggs annually with an average number of three (range 1-5)eggs. We found a significant positive correlation between female size and eggwidth and volume. The mean egg length and volume in a clutch decreasedsignificantly with clutch size independently of female size. The incubationperiod averaged 44 days. Significant positive correlations were found betweenthe hatchling total length and mass, and egg mass. There was a significantnegative relationship between the egg mass and incubation duration. Thelife-history strategy of the Horvath’s rock lizard appeared to be shaped byseveral factors, such as the constraints of a high-altitude environment,flattened body morphology and possibly phylogenetic background.

【 授权许可】

Unknown