Do female newts modify thermoregulatory behavior to manipulate egg size?

TOUFAROVÁ, Eliška and Lumír GVOŽDÍK. Do female newts modify thermoregulatory behavior to manipulate egg size? Journal of Thermal Biology. Pergamon Press, 2016, vol. 57, April, p. 72-77. ISSN 0306-4565. Available from: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2016.02.001.

Basic information

• Original name: Do female newts modify thermoregulatory behavior to manipulate egg size?
• Authors: TOUFAROVÁ, Eliška (203 Czech Republic, guarantor, belonging to the institution) and Lumír GVOŽDÍK (203 Czech Republic).
• Edition: Journal of Thermal Biology, Pergamon Press, 2016, 0306-4565.

Other information

• Original language: English
• Type of outcome: Article in a journal
• Field of Study: 10600 1.6 Biological sciences
• Country of publisher: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
• Confidentiality degree: is not subject to a state or trade secret
• Impact factor: Impact factor: 2.157
• RIV identification code: RIV/00216224:14310/16:00093984
• Organization unit: Faculty of Science
• Doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtherbio.2016.02.001
• UT WoS: 000374359800009
• Keywords in English: Amphibians; Egg size; Gravidity; Jelly coat; Mother-offspring conflict; Oviparity; Oviposition rate; Parental effect; Preferred temperature
• Tags: AKR, rivok

Abstract

Reproductive females manipulate offspring phenotypes by modifying conditions during embryogenesis. In ectotherms, the environmental control over embryogenesis is often realized by changes in maternal thermoregulation during gravidity. To determine if reproduction influences thermoregulatory behavior in species where females lay eggs shortly after fertilization (strict oviparity), we compared preferred body temperatures (T-p) between reproductive (egg-laying) and non-reproductive female newts, Ich-thyosaura alpestris. Next, we exposed reproductive females to temperatures mimicking T-p ranges of reproductive and non-reproductive individuals to find out whether the maternally modified thermal regime influences ovum and jelly coat volume, and early cleavage rates at the time of oviposition. In the thermal gradient, reproductive females maintained their body temperatures within a narrower range than non-reproductive individuals. The exposure of ovipositing females to temperatures preferred during their reproductive and non-reproductive period had a negligible influence on egg size and early cleavage rates. We conclude that the modification of maternal thermoregulatory behavior provides a limited opportunity to manipulate egg traits in newts. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.