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TIMING OF PARTURITION AS A MATERNAL CARE TACTIC IN AN ALPINE LIZARD SPECIES
Author(s) -
Olsson Mats,
Shine Richard
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
evolution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.84
H-Index - 199
eISSN - 1558-5646
pISSN - 0014-3820
DOI - 10.1111/j.1558-5646.1998.tb02265.x
Subject(s) - biology , offspring , lizard , paternal care , adaptation (eye) , selection (genetic algorithm) , maternal effect , zoology , ecology , pregnancy , genetics , neuroscience , artificial intelligence , computer science
Lack of ability to buffer postparturient offspring mortality risks may put a female under strong selection to time the birth of her young with benign environmental conditions. We provide support for timing of parturition as an adaptation in Tasmanian snow skinks ( Niveoscincus ) by demonstration of (1) ongoing selection against poorly timed parturitions, (2) retention of full‐term young through episodes of unfavorable conditions, and (3) phylogenetic shifts from autumn to spring parturition in taxa where costs of autumn parturition are expected to be relatively higher.