Exploring the consequences of climate-induced changes in cloud cover on offspring of a cool-temperate viviparous lizard

Abstract

Historically, studies on the response of ectotherms to anthropogenic climate change have emphasized predicted changes in temperature, with few examining responses associated with additional climatic changes. Basking behaviour is an absolute requirement for lizards from temperate regions because elevated body temperatures are needed for processes such as digestion and embryogenesis. Given that predicted cloud-cover changes will alter basking opportunities in many locations, we measured the phenotypic consequences of an increase or reduction in basking opportunity during pregnancy on the offspring of a viviparous temperate skink. The sex, size, growth, survival, emergence behaviour, morphotype, pigmentation, and locomotor performance of offspring were measured up to 3 months of age. Most offspring characteristics (e.g. sex) were not influenced by maternal basking regime. However, maternal pregnancy success was lower, and female offspring were slower growing, and thus smaller, when from regimes mimicking high cloud cover, suggesting potential long-term influences on population dynamics. Although a link between basking regime and phenotype has been reported in viviparous lizards, this is the first study to explore possible negative implications of changes in cloud cover on offspring production and phenotype (other than sex). © 2010 The Linnean Society of London.