Abstract
The documented costs of reproduction in reptiles include possible decreased survival re- sulting from behavioral and physiological changes associated with reproduction (Shine, 1980). For example, if escaping from predators depends on a snake's speed or endurance, then reduced locomotor performance of females car- rying eggs or embryos could increase the risk of predation (Seigel et al., 1987), assuming that antipredator behaviors are not modified (Bro- die, 1989). Locomotor performance is subject to selection in adult snakes because it is repeat- able, heritable, and correlated with survivorship (e.g., Garland, 1988; Brodie, 1993a; Jayne and Bennett, 1990a). Both speed and endurance are impaired in gravid viviparous garter snakes, Thamnophis marcianus (Seigel et al., 1987) and T. ordinoides (Brodie, 1989), but data on loco- motor performance are not available for any other gravid viviparous snake species, and none are available for an oviparous species. Because gravid oviparous colubrid snakes have an ap- proximately 17% greater relative clutch mass compared to gravid viviparous colubrids (Seigel and Fitch, 1984), the greater physical burden in oviparous forms might result in greater impair- ment of locomotor performance. In this paper, I examine whether gravid oviparous green snakes (Opheodrys aestivus) decrease locomotor performance (crawl speed and endurance) rel- ative to nongravid snakes.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
