The relationship of neonate mass and incubation temperature to embryonic development time in a range of animal taxa

摘要: Embryonic development time has been of long-standing interest to physiologists and ecologists because its importance in understanding the behaviour ecology reproduction, evolution reproductive strategies animals. Yet, relationship embryonic both neonate mass incubation temperature remains poorly understood for most taxonomic groups. Here we define (embryo at birth) a broad range animals, ectothermic endothermic, invertebrate vertebrate, microscopic gigantic. We begin by establishing array zooplankton, fishes amphibians temperatures from 5 20°C. Next, compare relationships these aquatic ectotherms those terrestrial (reptiles) endotherms (birds mammals) terms degree-days. The similar nature allows us as function many species considered here with single equation degree­ days ranging 38 °e. This establishes basis which differences among species.