New Zealand Journal of Zoology abstracts
Fluctuating asymmetry does not reflect environmental stress during
incubation in an oviparous lizard
Christopher G. Longson
Kelly M. Hare
Charles H. Daugherty
School of Biological Sciences
Victoria University of Wellington
PO Box 600
Wellington 6140, New Zealand
Present address: Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie
University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia.
chris.longson@paradise.net.nz
Abstract We analysed the relationship between
incubation regime and fluctuating asymmetry in a cohort of juvenile
lizards (
Oligosoma suteri) incubated under laboratory
conditions. We
found no relationship between incubation temperature or water potential
and the level of asymmetry in two cranial traits, although previous
research showed profound effects of incubation temperature on gross
morphology and hatching success. Our results suggest that fluctuating
asymmetry is not a reliable indicator of developmental stress in this
species.
Keywords environmental stress; developmental
stability; incubation temperature; water potential; reptile
Z06026; Online publication date 5 April 2007; Received 18 July 2006;
accepted 17 January 2007
New Zealand Journal of Zoology, 2007, Vol. 34: 91–96
0301–4223/07/3402–0091 © The Royal Society of New Zealand 2007
PDF file of entire paper: Print-quality
(312K) | screen-quality (317K)
This year's abstracts |
Journal home page |
All abstracts |
Publishing home page
