Flexible oviposition behavior enabled the evolution of terrestrial reproduction.

ABSTRACT: Among vertebrates, nearly all oviparous animals are considered to have either obligate aquatic or terrestrial oviposition, with eggs that are specialized for developing in those environments. The terrestrial environment has considerably more oxygen but is dry and thus presents both opportunities and challenges for developing embryos, particularly those adapted for aquatic development. Here, we present evidence from field experiments examining egg-laying behavior, egg size, and egg jelly function of 13 species of Central and South American treefrogs in the genus Dendropsophus, which demonstrates that flexible oviposition (individuals laying eggs both in and out of water) and eggs capable of both aquatic and terrestrial development are the likely factors which enable the transition fr

SUBMITTER: Touchon JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11295038 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature