Early-life nutrition and temperature affect adult life histories in reptiles

Anne M Bronikowski

Department of Integrative Biology, Kellogg Biological Station, Michigan State University, Hickory Corners, USA

In this talk, I will synthesize studies of early-life manipulations of the rearing environment related to nutrition and temperature in various snakes and turtles. How such early-life manipulations affect physiological traits (immune function, metabolism, hormonal signaling) and life history traits (growth, maturation, reproduction, and survival) are related to whether the species is characterized by determinate or indeterminate growth. Moreover, sex-specific responses to rearing conditions will be presented. Finally, additional impacts of the environment experienced during gestation on life histories will be presented.