Reproductive effort in two viviparous species of blue-tailed skinks (Squamata: Scincidae: Plestiodon) from Mexico

The relative allocation of energy organisms devote to reproductive processes (aka effort) constitutes a central topic in life history theory. We document some aspects the ecology and investment 2 viviparous skinks genus Plestiodon from Mexico: an undescribed species previously assigned P. brevirostris(Plestiodon sp., La Malinche, Tlaxcala, 2,700-3,000 m) dugesii (2 populations, Mazamitla Tapalpa, Jalisco; 2,400-2,500 m). used litter mass (RLM) as measure effort calculated body condition index (BCI) proxy status non-pregnant females, post-parturient neonates. There were no differences any characteristics between populations dugesii. Both lacked sexual size dimorphism, female did not influence RLM, nor mass. However, BCI influenced RLM and, dugesii, larger correlated with lower Despite their overall similarities investment, there seem be differential selective pressures shaping offspring these lizard species.