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Evaluation of offspring size-number invariants in 12 species of lizard

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posted on 2023-05-16, 23:28 authored by Uller, T, Geoffrey WhileGeoffrey While, Erik WapstraErik Wapstra, Warner, DA, Goodman, BA, Schwarzkopf, L, Langkilde, T, Doughty, P, Radder, RS, Rohr, DH, Bull, CM, Shine, R, Olsson, M
The optimal division of resources into offspring size vs. number is one of the classic problems in life-history evolution. Importantly, models that take into account the discrete nature of resource division at low clutch sizes suggest that the variance in offspring size should decline with increasing clutch size according to an invariant relationship. We tested this prediction in 12 species of lizard with small clutch sizes. Contrary to expectations, not all species showed a negative relationship between variance in offspring size and clutch size, and the pattern significantly deviated from quantitative predictions in five of the 12 species. We suggest that the main limitation of current size-number models for small clutch sizes is that they rely on assumptions of hierarchical allocation strategies with independence between allocation decisions. Indeed, selection may favour alternative mechanisms of reproductive allocation that avoid suboptimal allocation imposed by the indivisible fraction at low clutch sizes. © 2008 The Authors.

History

Publication title

Journal of Evolutionary Biology

Volume

22

Pagination

143-151

ISSN

1010-061X

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Place of publication

United Kingdom

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the biological sciences

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