Annual Variation in Reproduction in Snakes in a Fluctuating Environment
Seigel RA and Fitch HS. 1985. Annual Variation in Reproduction in Snakes in a Fluctuating Environment. Journal of Animal Ecology. 54(2):497-505
(1) We studied annual variation in clutch or litter size in five populations of four species of North American snakes: Diadophis punctatus (L.), Thamnophis radix (Baird & Girard), T. sirtalis (L.), and Agkistrodon contortrix (L.), with samples taken over periods ranging from 2 to 15 years. (2) We found that even after changes in female body size were corrected for, clutch or litter size varied significantly among years in four of five populations. (3) In three populations, clutch size was higher in years having above-normal rainfall. Furthermore, clutch size in Diadophis was significantly correlated with autumn rainfall. (4) Our data show that clutch size can vary as much among years as it can among populations. We caution investigators that the use of short-term data to compare reproductive traits among geographically separated populations may be misleading.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Seigel, R; Fitch, H
- Units
- GUIS
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Ecology, environmental studies, Gulf Islands National Seashore FL - MS., Reproduction