M. Olsson et T. Madsen, Between-year variation in determinants of offspring survival in the Sand Lizard, Lacerta agilis, FUNCT ECOL, 15(4), 2001, pp. 443-450
1. Life-history theory predicts that clutch size and offspring size should
evolve to an optimal offspring size vs number (OSN) equilibrium.
2. Offspring size in Swedish Sand Lizards (Lacerta agilis) decreases up to
60% during a female's life with a concomitant increase in clutch size; why
do female Sand Lizards not produce an offspring of approximately equal size
through life, while adjusting clutch size in accordance with available res
ources?
3. Our results show that there is year-to-year variation in what factors de
termine female reproductive success, estimated by the number or proportion
of recruits into the second year cohort.
4. In a year with relatively poor female growth rate, poor female condition
and probably relatively low potential for resource acquisition, females ma
ting with many partners did relatively better than females mating with fewe
r partners.
5. In the poor year, relatively larger offspring survived better than small
er ones.
6. In a year with relatively high resource levels, females producing both r
elatively large young and large clutches were favoured by selection.
7. Depending on environmental conditions, female 'optimal tactics' may diff
er between episodes of selection.