COMPARATIVE DATA ON REPRODUCTION IN PODARCIS ERHARDII, PODARCIS PELOPONNESIACA, AND PODARCIS TAURICA (REPTILIA, SAURIA, LACERTIDAE)

ABSTRACT

Variation in the reproductive traits of Greek populations of Podareis erhardii. P. peloponnesiaca, and P. taurica living in similar habitats along the same latitude was examined. Female body size, clutch size, and egg volume were determined. In all three species, clutch size was positively correlated with maternal body size. P. erhardii appears to modulate its reproductive effort by means of variation in both egg size and number. On the other hand, egg size in P. peloponnesiaca and P. taurica has probably been optimized, and an increase in reproductive effort would result in the production of a larger number of eggs.