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Multiennial reproduction in females of a viviparous, temperate-zone skink, Tiliqua nigrolutea

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-16, 13:39 authored by Ashley EdwardsAshley Edwards, Susan JonesSusan Jones, Erik WapstraErik Wapstra
We examined the reproductive frequency in wild-caught and captive females of Tiliqua nigrolutea over five consecutive reproductive seasons. Reproductive frequency (0.38 ± SE 0.035) was clearly different from an annual pattern (1.0) in which all females reproduce every year. Individual females did not reproduce every year, but "skipped" seasons were staggered such that a proportion of the population produced a clutch each season. We attribute skipped reproductive opportunities to a combination of a long gestation, high relative clutch mass (0.43 ± SE 0.034), parturition late in the active season, a cessation of feeding in the latter stages of gestation, and low autumn temperatures that limited post-partum feeding opportunities.

History

Publication title

Herpetologica

Volume

58

Issue

4

Pagination

407-414

ISSN

0018-0831

Department/School

School of Natural Sciences

Publisher

Herpetologists-League

Place of publication

USA

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Expanding knowledge in the environmental sciences

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