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Debruyn G, Geltmeyer J, Schoolaert E, Nicolaï MPJ, Xie W, Wynant M, Shawkey MD, De Clerck K, D'Alba L. Hydric Environment and Chemical Composition Shape Non-avian Reptile Eggshell Absorption. Integr Comp Biol 2024; 64:107-119. [PMID: 38755009 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icae040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The amniotic egg fulfils a critical role in reproduction by serving as an interface between the external environment and the embryo. Because non-avian reptiles are rarely incubated, they must be heated by, and absorb water from, the oviposition site for the developing embryo. The mechanisms by which they absorb sufficient, but not excess, water and how these mechanisms vary with local habitat is largely unknown, despite its significance to their evolution. Here, we first performed histology, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and dynamic vapor sorption experiments to elucidate the mechanisms of eggshell absorption for 56 reptile species. Then, we used phylogenetic comparative analysis to test the hypothesis that the absorptive capacity of reptile eggshells increases with aridity of the environment. We found that water absorption increases in the presence of a superficial mucopolysaccharide layer and decreases with increased calcium content. We found that eggs from arid environments have highly absorbent eggshells, but only in species with weakly calcified shells. Our results suggest that reptile eggshells have over evolutionary time tuned absorptive capacity to environmental moisture level. Since these eggs often must sustain conflicting constraints, they may serve as inspirations for new biomimetic materials, such as water filtering membranes or humidity sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerben Debruyn
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jozefien Geltmeyer
- Center for Textile Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Ghent, Tech Lane Science Park 701, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ella Schoolaert
- Center for Textile Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Ghent, Tech Lane Science Park 701, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Michaël P J Nicolaï
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wanjie Xie
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maarten Wynant
- Center for Textile Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Ghent, Tech Lane Science Park 701, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Matthew D Shawkey
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karen De Clerck
- Center for Textile Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, University of Ghent, Tech Lane Science Park 701, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Liliana D'Alba
- Department of Biology, Evolution and Optics of Nanostructures Group, University of Ghent, Ledeganckstraat 35, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, Darwinweg 2, 2333 CR Leiden, The Netherlands
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Straková B, Kubička L, Červenka J, Kratochvíl L. Pivotal temperature is not for everyone: Evidence for temperature-dependent sex determination in three gecko species. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:597-605. [PMID: 38497303 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of environmental sex determination (ESD) in squamate reptiles is often overestimated in the literature. This is surprising because we have reliable data demonstrating ESD in only a few species. The documentation of ESD in three species of geckos presented here has significantly increased our knowledge, given that satisfactory evidence for ESD existed in only eight other gecko species. For the first time, we document the occurrence of ESD in the family Sphaerodactylidae. Our finding of unexpected variability in the shapes of reaction norms among geckos highlights that traditional descriptions using parameters such as pivotal temperature, that is, temperature producing a 50:50 sex ratio, are unsatisfactory. For example, the gecko Pachydactylus tigrinus lacks any pivotal temperature and its sex ratios are strongly female-biased across the entire range of viable temperatures. We argue for the effective capture of the relationship between temperature and sex ratio using specific nonlinear models rather than using classical simplistic descriptions and classifications of reaction norms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Straková
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Kubička
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Červenka
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Lukáš Kratochvíl
- Department of Ecology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
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3
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Bioclimatic and local drivers modulating the expansion of an introduced temperate reptile in a subtropical island. Glob Ecol Conserv 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2022.e02164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
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Andrews RM. Adaptive variation in the development of extraembryonic membranes of gekkotan embryos: A meta-analytical approach. J Morphol 2021; 282:1054-1065. [PMID: 33683713 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Highly mineralized rigid-shelled eggs characterize one lineage of gekkotans. In contrast, poorly mineralized flexible-shelled eggs characterize basal lineages of gekkotans and all other squamates. Low oxygen permeability of rigid-shelled eggs is associated with small eggs and hatchlings, and long incubation lengths compared to flexible-shelled gekkotan eggs. These features represent a demographic cost for species with rigid-shelled eggs. This cost is offset, at least in part, because mortality due to desiccation and predation is reduced for rigid-shelled eggs relative to flexible-shelled eggs. Developmental traits may also compensate for the low oxygen permeability of rigid-shelled eggs. Oviposition, for example, occurs at earlier developmental stages for gekkotans with rigid- versus flexible-shelled eggs. Such early oviposition facilitates development because eggs move from the relatively hypoxic oviduct to the much better oxygenated nest environment. In this study, I tested the hypothesis that the growth of the yolk sac (YS) and chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of gekkotans with rigid-shelled eggs is initiated and completed earlier than those of gekkotans with flexible-shelled eggs. I measured the surface area of eggs covered by the YS and CAM from oviposition to hatching and determined which of four nonlinear models provide the best fit for growth curves. I also compiled a data set on embryonic metabolism of gekkotans and other lizards in order to place growth of the YS and CAM in the context of energy utilization of lizard embryos overall. Growth of the YS and CAM of gekkotans with rigid-shelled eggs is accelerated relative to that of gekkotans with flexible-shelled eggs and may serve to separate the cost of YS and CAM development from that of the embryo itself. Adaptive variation in YS and CAM development may extend to birds, crocodilians, and turtles as they also exhibit life history variation that affects oxygen availability to embryos during development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin M Andrews
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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Blackburn DG, Stewart JR. Morphological research on amniote eggs and embryos: An introduction and historical retrospective. J Morphol 2021; 282:1024-1046. [PMID: 33393149 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Revised: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 01/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Evolution of the terrestrial egg of amniotes (reptiles, birds, and mammals) is often considered to be one of the most significant events in vertebrate history. Presence of an eggshell, fetal membranes, and a sizeable yolk allowed this egg to develop on land and hatch out well-developed, terrestrial offspring. For centuries, morphologically-based studies have provided valuable information about the eggs of amniotes and the embryos that develop from them. This review explores the history of such investigations, as a contribution to this special issue of Journal of Morphology, titled Developmental Morphology and Evolution of Amniote Eggs and Embryos. Anatomically-based investigations are surveyed from the ancient Greeks through the Scientific Revolution, followed by the 19th and early 20th centuries, with a focus on major findings of historical figures who have contributed significantly to our knowledge. Recent research on various aspects of amniote eggs is summarized, including gastrulation, egg shape and eggshell morphology, eggs of Mesozoic dinosaurs, sauropsid yolk sacs, squamate placentation, embryogenesis, and the phylotypic phase of embryonic development. As documented in this review, studies on amniote eggs and embryos have relied heavily on morphological approaches in order to answer functional and evolutionary questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Blackburn
- Department of Biology and Electron Microscopy Center, Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - James R Stewart
- Department of Biological Sciences, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA
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Muller BJ, Andrews RM, Schwarzkopf L, Pike DA. Social context alters retreat- and nest-site selection in a globally invasive gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2019. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blz188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Microhabitat orientation and structure and the presence of conspecifics may strongly influence the choice of habitat. We studied how these variables influence retreat- and nest-site selection in gravid females of a globally successful invasive species, the Asian house gecko (Hemidactylus frenatus). When provided with various substrates (vertical and horizontal ceramic tiles, vertical and horizontal plywood tiles, horizontal bark over leaf litter, vertical bark over a log, and sand) gravid female geckos preferred to retreat to, and nest in, materials with crevices commonly found in urban habitats. When housed alone, gravid females most frequently retreated to vertical ceramic tile or wooden crevices, and 66.7% nested in vertical ceramic tiles. When housed with two other conspecifics, gravid females most frequently retreated to vertical ceramic tiles, but selected a wider range of nest sites. Overall, gravid geckos housed alone typically nested in the same substrates that they used as diurnal retreats; when housed in groups, however, females oviposited in locations different from those they selected as retreats. Thus, H. frenatus females use a wider range of substrates when conspecifics are present. Invasion success in this species might be driven, in part, by preferences for retreat and nest substrates that are common in human-dominated habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J Muller
- Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Robin M Andrews
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Lin Schwarzkopf
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
| | - David A Pike
- Department of Biology, Rhodes College, Memphis, TN, USA
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Petford MA, van Huyssteen R, Alexander GJ. Influences of ecology and climate on the distribution of restricted, rupicolous reptiles in a biodiverse hotspot. AFR J HERPETOL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/21564574.2019.1681524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- MA Petford
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
- Soutpansberg Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Medike Nature Reserve, South Africa
| | - R van Huyssteen
- Soutpansberg Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation, Medike Nature Reserve, South Africa
| | - GJ Alexander
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Changing Perspectives on Reptile Eggs: One Biologist's Journey from Demography to Development. J HERPETOL 2018. [DOI: 10.1670/17-050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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A comparative study of eggshells of Gekkota with morphological, chemical compositional and crystallographic approaches and its evolutionary implications. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199496. [PMID: 29933400 PMCID: PMC6014675 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Accepted: 06/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The Gekkota is an important clade in the evolution of calcified eggshells in that some of its families lay rigid eggshells like archosaurs. However, the fundamental differences and similarities between the mechanism of rigid eggshell formation of the Gekkota and Archosauria have not been investigated thoroughly due to the lack of knowledge of gekkotan eggshells. Here, we report for the first time a comprehensive analysis of morphological, chemical compositional, and crystallographic features of rigid and soft gekkotan eggshells. Exhaustive morphological description provided common characters for gekkotan eggshells, as well as unique features of each species. We found that elemental distribution of rigid gekkotan eggshells is different from that of avian eggshells, especially in the case of Mg and P. In addition, the crystallographic features (size, shape, and alignment of calcite grains) of gekkotan eggshells are completely different from those of archosaur eggshells. The result of this study suggests that soft gekkotan eggshells are morphologically more similar to tuatara eggshells rather than soft eggshells of derived squamates. The chemical compositional analysis suggests that the eggshell may act as a mineral reservoir for P and F as well as Ca. More importantly, all chemical compositions and crystallographic features imply that the gekkotan eggshell formation may begin at the outer surface and growing down to the inner surface, which is opposite to the direction of the archosaur eggshell formation. This character would be crucial for identifying fossil gekkotan eggs, which are poorly known in paleontology. All these lines of evidence support that soft gekkotan and tuatara eggshells share the primitive characters of all lepidosaurid eggshells. Finally, gekkotan and archosaur rigid eggshells represent a typical example of convergent evolution in the lineage of the Sauropsida.
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Novel Eggshell of the New Caledonian Diplodactylid Gecko SpeciesCorrelophus ciliatus(=Rhacodactylus ciliatus). J HERPETOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1670/16-048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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