Evidence for atypical nest overwintering by hatchling lizards, Heloderma suspectum.

ABSTRACT: The timing of reproductive events (e.g. oviposition and hatching) to coincide with favourable seasonal conditions is critical for successful reproduction. However, developmental time may not match the duration between the optimal time for oviposition and the optimal time for hatchling survival. Thus, strategies that alter the time between oviposition and hatchling emergence can be highly advantageous. Arrested development and the resulting extension of the duration between oviposition and hatching has been widely documented across oviparous amniotes, but nest overwintering by hatchlings has only been documented in aquatic chelonians that live where winters are quite cold. Herein, we present a compilation of evidence regarding reproductive phenology by hatchlings of the Gila monster (Helode

SUBMITTER: DeNardo DF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5998102 | biostudies-literature | 2018 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature