Good alimentation can overcome the negative effects of climate change on growth in reptiles
Por:
Rueda-Zozaya, Pilar, Plasman, Melissa, Hugo Reynoso, Victor
Publicada:
1 may 2021
Categoría:
Ecology, evolution, behavior and systematics
Resumen:
Climate change may lead to higher nest temperatures, which may increase
embryo development rate but reduce hatchling size and growth. Larger
body size permits better performance, making growth an important fitness
trait. In ectotherms, growth is affected by temperature and food
quality. To segregate the effects of incubation temperature vs.
alimentation on the growth of the Mexican black spiny-tailed iguana,
Ctenosaura pectinata, we incubated eggs at 29 or 32 degrees C, and
hatchlings were kept at 30 degrees C and fed either high- or low-quality
food for 1 year, with body size and mass being recorded every 2 weeks.
Iguanas incubated at 29 degrees C grew faster than those incubated at 32
degrees C. However, food quality had a larger effect on growth than
incubation temperature; iguanas fed with high-quality food reached
larger body sizes. Growth models suggested that differences in growth
between incubation temperatures and food types remain throughout their
lives. We found that incubation temperature had long-lasting effects on
an ectotherm, and higher incubation temperatures might lead to reduced
growth and maturation at a later age. However, food might transcend the
effect of increased incubation temperature; therefore, good alimentation
might mitigate effects of climate change on growth.
Filiaciones:
Rueda-Zozaya, Pilar:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Biol, Circuito Exterior S-N,Ciudad Univ, Ciudad De Mexico 04510, Mexico
Univ Autonoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Calzada Hueso 1100,Col Villa Quietud, Ciudad De Mexico 04960, Mexico
Plasman, Melissa:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Biol, Circuito Exterior S-N,Ciudad Univ, Ciudad De Mexico 04510, Mexico
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Fac Ciencias, Circuito Exterior S-N,Ciudad Univ, Ciudad De Mexico 04510, Mexico
Hugo Reynoso, Victor:
Univ Nacl Autonoma Mexico, Inst Biol, Circuito Exterior S-N,Ciudad Univ, Ciudad De Mexico 04510, Mexico
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