Latitudinal Variation in the Pattern of Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in the Japanese Gecko, .

Identifying latitudinal variation in the pattern of temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD) may provide insight into the evolution of sex determining system in vertebrates, but such studies remain limited. Here, we quantified TSD patterns of three geographically separated populations of the Japanese gecko () along the latitudinal cline of China. We incubated gecko eggs from the three populations at constant temperatures of 24, 26, 28, 30, and 32 °C to quantify the TSD pattern.

Thermal dependence of feeding performance and resting metabolic expenditure in different altitudinal populations of toad-headed lizards.

Inter-population variations in growth rate can result from independent or interactive effects of genetic and environmental factors, and be induced by some physiological differences as well. Toad-headed lizards (Phrynocephalus vlangalii) from a higher-elevation population were shown to have a higher growth rate than those from a lower-elevation population. The physiological basis of growth rate variation in this species is not well understood.

Complete mitochondrial genome of Papilio syfanius (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae).

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the swallowtail butterfly Papilio syfanius has been completed. It is 15,359 bp, and contains the typical complement of 13 protein-coding (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) and 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. Two A + T-rich regions are included in this mitogenome.

Different mechanisms lead to convergence of reproductive strategies in two lacertid lizards (Takydromus wolteri and Eremias argus).

Life history traits may vary within and among species. Rarely, however, are both variations examined concurrently to identify the life history adaptation. We found that female body size, offspring number and size, and incubation period showed convergent evolution in two lacertid lizards (Takydromus wolteri and Eremias argus) that occur sympatrically in high-latitude and low-latitude localities.

Comparative population genetics and phylogeography of two lacertid lizards (Eremias argus and E. brenchleyi) from China.

Eremias argus and Eremias brenchleyi are lacertid lizards that are sympatric throughout the distribution of E. brenchleyi. We sequenced partial mitochondrial DNA from cytochrome (cyt) b gene for 106 individuals of E.

Income breeding and temperature-induced plasticity in reproductive traits in lizards.

We used the northern grass lizard Takydromus septentrionalis as a model animal to examine the energy allocation strategy and whether body temperature can affect maternal reproductive traits in lizards. We maintained adult females collected from the field soon after winter dormancy under three thermal conditions (24.0+/-1.

Evolution of reptilian viviparity: a test of the maternal manipulation hypothesis in a temperate snake, Gloydius brevicaudus (Viperidae).

We kept 48 gravid short-tailed pit vipers (Gloydius brevicaudus) under four laboratory thermal conditions during gestation and collected 10 females from the field soon before they gave birth to test whether Shine's (1995) maternal manipulation hypothesis applies to temperate reptiles. Females thermoregulated more precisely but did not shift their selected body temperatures during pregnancy, with females at high body temperatures giving birth early in the breeding season. The lowest (22 degrees C) and highest (32 degrees C) temperature treatments Increased maternal mortality and resulted in production of offspring with smaller body dimensions.