Phenotypic Responses of Hatchlings to Constant Versus Fluctuating Incubation Temperatures in the Multi-banded Krait, Bungarus multicintus (Elapidae)

• DOI: 10.2108/zsj.24.384
• Publication Date: 2007-11-07T14:47:43Z
• Authors: Xiang Ji; Jian-Fang Gao; Jun Han
• Keywords: Hatchling; Yolk; Incubation period

Most studies on egg incubation in reptiles have relied constant temperature the laboratory rather than simulations of thermal regimes natural nests. The effects embryos constant-temperature often do not realistically reflect what occurs nature. Recent increasingly recognized importance simulating nest temperatures applying regimes. We incubated Bungarus multicintus eggs under three and one fluctuating-temperature to evaluate versus fluctuating hatching success hatchling phenotypes. Hatching did differ among four treatments, affect sexual phenotype hatchlings. Incubation length decreased as increased, but at from with approximately same mean length. Of phenotypes examined, residual yolk, fat bodies locomotor performance were more likely affected by temperature. maximal speed was fastest 30°C treatments slowest 24°C treatment, 27°C treatment between. longest shortest Our results show that influence size morphology any differently mean, a positive effect