Influence of ambient temperature on maternal thermoregulation and neonate phenotypes in a viviparous lizard, Eremias multiocellata, during the gestation period

• Published in: Journal of thermal biology Vol. 36; no. 3; pp. 187 - 192
• Main Authors: Yan, Xue-Feng, Tang, Xiao-Long, Yue, Feng, Zhang, De-Jiu, Xin, Ying, Wang, Cui, Chen, Qiang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.04.2011
• Subjects: Ambient temperature; Biology; Body temperature; China; Early growth rate; Eremias multiocellata; Females; Gestation; Gestation temperature; Lizards; Locomotor performance; Morphology; Thermoregulation; Viviparous lizard; Eremias multiocellata; Gestation temperature; Locomotor performance; Viviparous lizard; Morphology; Early growth rate
• ISSN: 0306-4565; 1879-0992
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jtherbio.2011.02.005

To assess the potential gestational effects on post-hatching morphology, locomotor performance, and early growth rate, we maintained gravid Eremias multiocellata under four constant treatment temperatures (25, 29, 31, and 35 °C). Ambient temperature had significant effects on some morphometric traits of offspring, including tail length, head size, forelimb length and hindlimb length, but not on body mass or snout-vent length. The data of females' body temperature indirectly support the maternal manipulation hypothesis. Juvenile E. multiocellata had better locomotor performance and faster early growth rate at 29 °C than at the other three treatment temperatures (25, 31, and 35 °C). Our results suggest that gestation temperature may be optimized at 29 °C for E. multiocellata from Tianzhu, Gansu Province, China.