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Developmental reaction norms vary among families of lizards in response to multivariate nest environments
  • Mike Norris,
  • Joshua Hall,
  • Dan Warner
Mike Norris
Auburn University

Corresponding Author:mcn0018@auburn.edu

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Joshua Hall
Tennessee Tech University
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Dan Warner
Auburn University
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Abstract

not-yet-known not-yet-known not-yet-known unknown Developmental plasticity is the capacity of a single genotype to express multiple phenotypes in response to different early-life environments. Such responses are defined by reaction norms, which may vary among individuals or populations. Variation in developmental reaction norms allows natural selection to operate on plasticity and is rarely examined in vertebrates. We quantified variation in embryonic developmental plasticity within and between populations using the brown anole lizard. We captured lizards from two islands in the Matanzas River (Florida, USA) and incubated their eggs under one of two multivariate treatments that mimicked the temperature, moisture, and substrates of nest sites in either a shaded or open habitat. We measured hatchling morphology, performance, and physiology to quantify variation in family-level reaction norms. We observed evidence of family-level variation in reaction norms for morphology but not for performance or physiology, indicating an opportunity for natural selection to shape plasticity in hatchling body size. Overall, the results indicate that multiple abiotic conditions in natural nests combine to increase or reduce phenotypic variation, and that family-level variation in reaction norms provides a potential for natural selection to shape plasticity.
29 May 2024Submitted to Oikos
31 May 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
05 Jun 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Aug 20241st Revision Received
26 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
26 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
26 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
03 Sep 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
22 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Accept