Incubation regime affects juvenile morphology and hatching success, but not sex, of the oviparous lizard Oligosoma suteri (Lacertilia: Scincidae)

Abstract

We studied the effects of different artificial incubation regimes on the hatching success, morphology, and sex of hatchlings of New Zealand's only endemic egg‐laying skink, Oligosoma suteri (Boulenger, 1906). Eggs were randomly distributed among three constant incubation temperatures (18, 22, and 26°C) and two water potentials (‐120 and ‐270 kPa). Hatching success and hatchling survival were greatest at 22 and 26°C. Hatchlings from 18°C incubation had low survival, morphological abnormalities of the limbs, and atypical colouration. Water potential did not influence hatchling survival, morphology, or sex. Equal sex ratios were found at all incubation regimes indicating that sex determination in O. suteri is genetic, not temperature‐dependent. © 2002 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.