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Science 18 December 1992:
Vol. 258. no. 5090, pp. 1927 - 1930
DOI: 10.1126/science.258.5090.1927
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Articles

Allometric Engineering: A Causal Analysis of Natural Selection on Offspring Size

Barry Sinervo 1, Kelly Zamudio 1, Paul Doughty 2, and Raymond B. Huey 3

1 Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, Berkeley, CA 94720, and Department of Zoology NJ-15, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195
2 Department of Ethology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37916
3 Department of Zoology NJ-15, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195

Techniques of offspring size manipulation, "allometric engineering," were used in combination with studies of natural selection to elucidate the causal relation between egg size and offspring survival of lizards. The results experimentally validate premises underlying theories of optimal egg size: fecundity selection favoring the production of large clutches of small eggs was balanced by survival selection favoring large offspring. However, large hatchlings did not always have the highest survival, contrary to most theoretical expectations. Optimizing selection on offspring size per se was the most common pattern. Moreover, matches between average and optimal egg size were qualitative, not quantitative, perhaps reflecting known functional constraints on the production of large eggs.

Submitted on June 22, 1992
Accepted on October 20, 1992


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)