High-elevation hypoxia impacts perinatal physiology and performance in a potential montane colonizer

摘要: Climate change is generating range shifts in many organisms, notably along the elevational gradient mountainous environments. However, moving up elevation exposes organisms to lower oxygen availability, which may reduce successful reproduction and development of oviparous organisms. To test this possibility an upward-colonizing species, we artificially incubated developing embryos viperine snake (Natrix maura) using a split-clutch design, conditions extreme high (hypoxia at 2877 m above sea level; 72% sea-level equivalent O2 availability) or low (control group; i.e. normoxia 436 level). Hatching success did not differ between two treatments. Embryos had higher heart rates hatched earlier, resulting hatchlings that were smaller body size slower swimmers compared their siblings elevation. Furthermore, post-hatching reciprocal transplant juveniles showed snakes developed elevation, when transferred back recover full performance from incubation treatment. These results suggest including effects hypoxia, will prevent ectotherms producing viable young, but pose significant physiological challenges on offspring ovo. early-life limitations imposed by could have negative consequences adult phenotypes, fitness-related traits.