Adaptive Maternal Effects Shape Offspring Phenotype and Survival in Natal Environments

Area of Science:

• Ecology
• Evolutionary Biology
• Behavioral Ecology

Background:

• Maternal effects influence offspring phenotype, aiding adaptation to local environments.
• Investigating the adaptive significance of maternal effects in natural settings is challenging.
• Anticipatory maternal effects adjust offspring traits before birth based on predicted environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine how maternal environments and phenotypes influence offspring traits in common lizards.
• To assess the adaptive value of maternal effects on offspring survival and maternal fitness.
• To understand the role of vegetation cover and maternal activity in mediating these effects.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a semi-natural experimental system with common lizards.
• Manipulated maternal environments (vegetation cover) and recorded maternal phenotypes (activity, body length).
• Assessed offspring phenotype, survival rates in varying natal environments, and maternal fitness.

Main Results:

• Maternal activity and vegetation density interact to influence offspring size.
• Females in dense vegetation produced larger offspring when more active.
• Offspring activity levels were influenced by maternal phenotype and habitat, with higher activity linked to better survival in dense vegetation.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest adaptive, anticipatory maternal effects mediated by vegetation structure and maternal activity.
• These effects enhance offspring early-life prospects and survival in specific natal environments.
• Maternal effects contribute to overall maternal fitness through adaptive offspring provisioning.