Short‐term and long‐term consequences of regeneration on the reproductive investment of a multivoltine lizard

Autotomy is the ability to shed a body part when an animal receives attack by predator. It often followed regeneration of lost parts counteract dysfunctions related limb amputation. Caudal autotomy frequently used in lizards avoid predation and tail regeneration. Regeneration costly process that can limit resources available for somatic growth, accumulation reserves reproduction. We carried out two experiments evaluate short-term long-term effects following caudal on reproductive investment female wall (Podarcis muralis), iteroparous multivoltine species produces 1–3 clutches per breeding season. In experiment, we compared intact regenerating females explore during development second clutch (built under income strategy). studied made first spring females, assess started prior wintering, likely affecting lipid storages required develop capital Regenerating both presented reduction mass relative snout-vent length, but greater than experiment. Furthermore, amount regenerated was negatively correlated with reproduction, higher egg failure rates. These were stronger built mostly strategy, which suggests may buffer costs