Reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue-tailed skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Plestiodon) from Mexico

The relative allocation of energy organisms devote to reproductive processes (aka reproductive effort) constitutes a central topic in life history theory. We document some aspects of the reproductive ecology and investment of 2 viviparous skinks of the genus Plestiodon from Mexico: an undescribed s...

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Main Authors: Francisco Javier Muñoz-Nolasco, Diego Miguel Arenas-Moreno, Daniel Cruz-Sáenz, Fausto Roberto Méndez-de la Cruz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México 2023-02-01
Series:Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad
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Online Access:https://revista.ib.unam.mx/index.php/bio/article/view/3999
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author Francisco Javier Muñoz-Nolasco
Diego Miguel Arenas-Moreno
Daniel Cruz-Sáenz
Fausto Roberto Méndez-de la Cruz
author_facet Francisco Javier Muñoz-Nolasco
Diego Miguel Arenas-Moreno
Daniel Cruz-Sáenz
Fausto Roberto Méndez-de la Cruz
author_sort Francisco Javier Muñoz-Nolasco
collection DOAJ
description The relative allocation of energy organisms devote to reproductive processes (aka reproductive effort) constitutes a central topic in life history theory. We document some aspects of the reproductive ecology and investment of 2 viviparous skinks of the genus Plestiodon from Mexico: an undescribed species previously assigned to P. brevirostris (Plestiodon sp., La Malinche, Tlaxcala, 2,700-3,000 m) and P. dugesii (2 populations, Mazamitla and Tapalpa, Jalisco; 2,400-2,500 m). We used relative litter mass (RLM) as a measure of reproductive effort and calculated a body condition index (BCI) as a proxy of the energy status of non-pregnant females, post-parturient females, and neonates. There were no differences in any of the reproductive characteristics between the 2 populations of P. dugesii. Both species lacked sexual size dimorphism, and female body size did not influence RLM, litter size nor litter mass. However, female BCI influenced RLM and, in P. dugesii, a larger litter size correlated with a lower BCI of neonates. Despite their overall similarities in reproductive investment, there seem to be differential selective pressures shaping offspring characteristics of these 2 lizard species.
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spelling doaj-art-e5423b778be3484aba6a7b3545058e902025-08-20T02:59:10ZengUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de MéxicoRevista Mexicana de Biodiversidad1870-34532007-87062023-02-019410.22201/ib.20078706e.2023.94.3999Reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue-tailed skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Plestiodon) from MexicoFrancisco Javier Muñoz-Nolasco0Diego Miguel Arenas-Moreno1Daniel Cruz-Sáenz2Fausto Roberto Méndez-de la Cruz3Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México.Universidad Autónoma de GuerreroUniversidad de GuadalajaraUniversidad Nacional Autónoma de México The relative allocation of energy organisms devote to reproductive processes (aka reproductive effort) constitutes a central topic in life history theory. We document some aspects of the reproductive ecology and investment of 2 viviparous skinks of the genus Plestiodon from Mexico: an undescribed species previously assigned to P. brevirostris (Plestiodon sp., La Malinche, Tlaxcala, 2,700-3,000 m) and P. dugesii (2 populations, Mazamitla and Tapalpa, Jalisco; 2,400-2,500 m). We used relative litter mass (RLM) as a measure of reproductive effort and calculated a body condition index (BCI) as a proxy of the energy status of non-pregnant females, post-parturient females, and neonates. There were no differences in any of the reproductive characteristics between the 2 populations of P. dugesii. Both species lacked sexual size dimorphism, and female body size did not influence RLM, litter size nor litter mass. However, female BCI influenced RLM and, in P. dugesii, a larger litter size correlated with a lower BCI of neonates. Despite their overall similarities in reproductive investment, there seem to be differential selective pressures shaping offspring characteristics of these 2 lizard species. https://revista.ib.unam.mx/index.php/bio/article/view/3999 Life-history traitsRelative litter massTrade-offBody condition index
spellingShingle Francisco Javier Muñoz-Nolasco
Diego Miguel Arenas-Moreno
Daniel Cruz-Sáenz
Fausto Roberto Méndez-de la Cruz
Reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue-tailed skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Plestiodon) from Mexico
Revista Mexicana de Biodiversidad
Life-history traits
Relative litter mass
Trade-off
Body condition index
title Reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue-tailed skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Plestiodon) from Mexico
title_full Reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue-tailed skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Plestiodon) from Mexico
title_fullStr Reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue-tailed skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Plestiodon) from Mexico
title_full_unstemmed Reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue-tailed skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Plestiodon) from Mexico
title_short Reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue-tailed skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Plestiodon) from Mexico
title_sort reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue tailed skinks squamata scincidae plestiodon from mexico
topic Life-history traits
Relative litter mass
Trade-off
Body condition index
url https://revista.ib.unam.mx/index.php/bio/article/view/3999
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