, Pandinus imperator, Scorpio maurus and Pandinus cavimanus (in the order of decreasing chela height to width ratio). Size-corrected chela height correlates highly with maximum pinch force. Independent BGB324 concentration contrasts suggest that the correlation of chela width, height and fixed finger length with maximum pinch force is independent of phylogeny, suggesting an adaptive component to the evolution of chela shape and performance. “
“Nest-site microhabitat influences hatching success, hatchling phenotype and offspring sex in reptiles with temperature-dependent sex determination (TSD). How females assess environmental features at potential nest sites, and then use such features in predicting the

future incubation regime of the site, is integral to understanding how nest-site choice affects offspring fitness and ultimately female reproductive success. Tuatara Sphenodon punctatus are colonially nesting reptiles with TSD. We examined nest-site fidelity and nest-site choice in tuatara over 5 years on Stephens Island, New Zealand. Female tuatara nested every 2–4 years and showed high fidelity to nesting rookeries. Over 93% of females nested in the same rookery at least twice in 5 years. buy EPZ-6438 Approximately 25% of nests contained conspecific cues from previous nesting seasons, indicating that some females choose nest sites based on locations

already selected by conspecifics. In experimental plots, female tuatara selected nest sites with loose soil

17-DMAG (Alvespimycin) HCl and minimal vegetation, but they showed no preference for shaded compared with unshaded sites. This study provides insight into the development of colonial nesting structures in reptiles in that females are both attracted to nesting areas used by conspecifics, and show strong site fidelity to areas they have used in the past. “
“Sperm competition is a powerful evolutionary force, and understanding the factors that regulate testes characteristics may lead to a better understanding of the variability in male reproductive success. We explored the effects of age, body condition and season on relative testes mass in the Iberian ibex Capra pyrenaica. We analysed the variability of testes mass from 175 individuals, using a model selection approach based on Akaike’s information criterion corrected for a small sample size. The results suggest that season, age and body condition influenced relative testes mass. Allocation to testes mass was greatest in the rutting season (autumn) and at ages that are associated with a subordinate status and a coursing, rather than mate-guarding, reproductive strategy. In addition, males in good condition had relatively heavier testes than those in poor condition. Thus, testes mass in Iberian ibex is governed by multiple factors, and this study leads to a better understanding of gonad plasticity in this polygamous ungulate.