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Reproductive cycles and reproductive strategies among populations of the Rose-bellied Lizard Sceloporus variabilis (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) from central Mexico.

ABSTRACT: Species with wide distribution, generally show variations in life history characteristics, which can be attributed to environmental causes. In this study, we analyzed the reproductive cycle and reproductive characteristics from three populations (Atlapexco, San Pablo Tetlapayac, and Santa Catarina) of the lizard Sceloporus variabilis from central Mexico. The specific goal of this study was to evaluate life history characteristics such as reproductive period extent, SVL (snout-vent length) at sexual maturity, clutch size, egg mass and volume, and RCM (relative clutch mass). The San Pablo Tetlapayac population showed a larger clutch size, RCM, egg mass, and a smaller SVL, body mass and reproductive period (January-September), as well as egg volume than the Atlapexco and Santa Catarina populations. Reproductive cycle and reproductive characteristics were more similar between the Atlapexco and Santa Catarina populations. Differences found in the population of San Pablo Tetlapayac with respect to the Atlapexco and Santa Catarina populations could be attributed to environmental variations where lizard populations occur. Differences in the reproductive period and reproductive characteristics in each population could be the result of both historical (phylogenetic; e.g., reproductive mode) and nonhistorical (environmental; e.g., temperature, food availability) causes. This study showed that populations of the same species are under different selection pressures, and these affect the reproductive characteristics of populations. Our results also indicate that long-term and targeted studies on predation, use and selection of food, are needed to determine the causes of these variations in populations of S. variabilis.

SUBMITTER: Cruz-Elizalde R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4758805 | biostudies-other | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Project description:Polymorphism among individuals of the same population has generally been linked to alternative reproductive tactics, where different morphs can exhibit differences in their morphological, ecological, and behavioral attributes. These differences may result in a divergence in diet between morphs due to differential exploitation of habitat, morphological differences that influence prey selection, or differential energy expenditure that results in different nutritional needs. The present study analyzes the morphology (morphometry and body mass) and diet of red and yellow male morphs in a population (El Enzuelado) of the lizard Sceloporus minor from central Mexico. No differences between morphs were found for any of the morphometric variables analyzed (snout-vent length, tail length, jaw length, jaw width, head length, head width, head height, tibia length, femur length, forearm length and ventral patch length). In both morphs, allometric growth was observed in all body features analyzed, as well as in morphometric features of the head across seasons. Analysis of stomach contents showed that the diet of red males was composed of 12 categories of prey, while that of yellow males was composed of 10 categories; those categories of diet not shared between morphs (e.g., Isoptera, Psocoptera) were consumed by their respective morph in very low proportions. Categories of diet with the highest values of food importance for both groups were Coleoptera, Orthoptera, and leaves; a similar pattern was seen across seasons. This, in turn, is reflected in low niche breadth values for each morph and a very high niche overlap. There were no significant differences between morphs overall, or between morphs per season, in the weight and volume of stomach contents or in the number of prey items found in stomachs; however, differences in these variables across all males (independent of morph) were recorded between seasons. Likewise, no significant correlations were found between body size (snout-vent length) and the volume of stomach contents for either morph or between lizard mandibular dimensions and the volume of stomach contents for red morph males. For the yellow morph, prey volume unexpectedly decreased significantly with jaw size rather than increasing as expected. Overall, this study adds new information about the morphology and feeding of males in this species, and suggests that in this population, color morphs lack the morphological and ecological differences found in some other species of polymorphic lizard.

Dataset Information

Reproductive cycles and reproductive strategies among populations of the Rose-bellied Lizard Sceloporus variabilis (Squamata: Phrynosomatidae) from central Mexico.

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