Covariation between clutch size, egg weight and egg shape: comparative evidence for chelonians

Abstract

The variation in reproductive variables is documented both within and across species of chelonians. At both the generic and family levels, egg weight and clutch size show positive, significant correlations with adult carapace length. There is a negative correlation across both genera and families between clutch size and egg weight after removing the effects of body size, suggesting an evolutionary trade‐off between these two life‐history characteristics. However, the trade‐off is not complete, since clutch size is positively correlated with clutch weight after removing the effects of body size. Terrestrial species lay fewer and larger eggs for their size than freshwater or marine species, but this association is statistically confounded by the fact that chelonian families form ecological groups. There is no significant association between habitat and clutch weight after removing the effects of body size, nor between latitude and either egg weight or clutch size, but temperate species have a heavier clutch weight after removing the effects of body size. Larger species lay eggs that are more spherical, but after controlling for body size, egg shape is not associated with clutch size. The patterns of covariation between adult weight, egg weight and clutch size contrast with those reported for birds and mammals, and some reasons for these differences are discussed.