One or two eggs: what underlies clutch size variation within a gecko species?

摘要: Although the majority of reptiles show variable clutch sizes, geckos have a fixed size (one or two eggs) and modify reproductive output by changing offspring frequency. However, several is not strictly at species level; they actually lay both single- double-egg clutches. We still do fully understand if variation within gecko due to adaptive control failure like accidental absorption one eggs. This study investigated differences between clutches in terms frequency, egg size, trait. I housed mourning Lepidodactylus lugubris controlled environment observed their reproduction for seven years. No large were detected frequency indicating that life-history trade-offs explain much about variation. Single-egg was comparable double-egg, but hatchlings from single-egg showed significantly lower body condition than did those double-egg. These results suggest only reduction per clutch, it may provide negative effect on ontogeny.