Abstract

To test the hypothesis that rapid embryogenesis is an adaptation to cold climate, embryonic development time was measured in three oviparous species of Sceloporus that occur at different altitudes: S. woodi (lowland), S. virgatus (intermediate) and S. scalaris (high altitude). 2. Total embryonic development time (TEDT), defined as the time between ovulation to hatching, was measured at the same constant temperature (30°C) in the laboratory. Mean TEDT was 61*6 days in S. woodi, 55*3 days in S. virgatus, and 45.6 days in S. scalaris. Embryo stages at oviposition, which provide a qualitative assessment of egg retention time, were noted for females ovipositing in laboratory aquaria. S. woodi exhibited brief egg retention, S. virgatus, intermediate egg retention, and S. scalaris, prolonged egg retention

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