%0 Journal Article %A G. Chapple, David %A N. Keall, Susan %A H. Daugherty, Charles %A Hare, Kelly M. %D 2017 %T Nest-site selection and the factors influencing hatching success and offspring phenotype in a nocturnal skink. Supplementary Figures %U https://brill.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Nest-site_selection_and_the_factors_influencing_hatching_success_and_offspring_phenotype_in_a_nocturnal_skink_Supplementary_Figures/5255479 %R 10.6084/m9.figshare.5255479.v1 %2 https://brill.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/8987641 %K incubation temperature %K nest-site selection %K New Zealand %K Oligosoma suteri %K reptile %K Animal Behaviour %K Zoology %K Animal Developmental and Reproductive Biology %X

Nest-site selection in ectothermic animals influences hatching success and offspring phenotype, and it is predicted that females should choose nesting sites that maximise their reproductive fitness, ultimately through the reproductive success of their offspring. We completed nest-site choice experiments on a nocturnal lizard, the egg-laying skink (Oligosoma suteri), to determine whether eggs (and subsequent hatchlings) from cooler nests do better at cooler incubation temperatures, and conversely if those laid in warmer nests perform better at warmer incubation temperatures. We provided a simple nest-choice experiment, with oviposition-retreat sites available in either a hot or a cool sector of the enclosure; in the wild females nest under objects. Female O. suteri laid eggs both during the day and night, and nested more in the hot than cool sector. Eggs from each clutch were split across three egg incubation temperatures (18°C, 22°C, 26°C) to decouple the impact of initial nest-site choice from the subsequent incubation temperature regime. Whether eggs were initially laid in the hot or cool sector was not related to hatching success, offspring phenotype or offspring locomotor performance. We conclude that offspring phenotype and performance is primarily influenced by the temperature during incubation, rather than the initial thermal environment of the nest location. Thus, female O. suteri may select warmer nesting sites to ensure higher incubation temperature and enhanced offspring fitness.

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