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Eggshell Composition of Squamate Reptiles: Relationship between Eggshell Permeability and Amino Acid Distribution

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Abstract

Most snakes and lizards produce eggs with flexible shells that interact with the environment to maintain water balance. Geckos produce rigid eggshells that are independent of an external source of water and can be oviposited in more open, dryer locations. In this study, we analyzed and compared the amino acid composition of 24 lizard species, six snake species, and four outgroups (including avian and reptilian elastin and chicken eggshell). Rigid Gecko eggshells had significantly lower levels of seven of the 17 amino acids evaluated. Multivariate analysis showed that proline was the most important amino acid in distinguishing between these two groups of eggshells, occurring at significantly higher levels in flexible eggshells. High levels of proline have also been observed in the eggshells of other species. Proline and other amino acids are associated with the alleviation of water and salt stress in plants.

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Acknowledgments

This project was initiated under the auspices of a fellowship to OJS from the Dept. of Zoology, University of New England, Armidale, N.S.W., Australia, in the fall of 1984. Prof. Harold Heatwole and Audrey Heatwole provided basic support and guidance; Drs. Menna Jones and Jeff Miller aided the field work. The Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute in the Republic of Panama offered physical and intellectual support with special assistance provided by Dr. A. Stanley Rand. The Herpetarium of the St. Louis Zoo, St. Louis, MO, USA, provided eggshells of many species. Dr. Brian E. Viets provided us with eggshells of Hemitheconyx and Dr. David Crews with Cnemidophorus uniparens. Many eggshells were obtained from the St. Louis area, particularly at the Washington University Tyson Research Center (Dr. Richard Coles, Director). Collecting in Missouri was carried out under a collecting permit from the Missouri Dept. of Conservation. Profs. Oscar Chilson, Daniel Kohl, and Robert Thach kindly reviewed early versions of this article, and two journal reviewers offered salient and helpful comments.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Tyson Research Center, Washington University, P.O. Box 258, Eureka, MO, 63025, USA

    Owen J. Sexton

  2. Environmental Science Program, DePaul University, 124 McGowan Center, 2325 N. Clifton Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60614, USA

    Judith E. Bramble

  3. South Florida Ecological Services Office, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, 1339 20th Street, Vero Beach, FL, 32960, USA

    I. Lorraine Heisler

  4. Center for Biodiversity, Illinois Natural History Survey, 607 E. Peabody Dr., Champaign, IL, 61820, USA

    Christopher A. Phillips

  5. 9495 Periwinkle Dr., Vero Beach, FL, 32963, USA

    David L. Cox

Authors
  1. Owen J. Sexton
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  2. Judith E. Bramble
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  3. I. Lorraine Heisler
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  4. Christopher A. Phillips
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  5. David L. Cox
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Correspondence to Owen J. Sexton.

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Sexton, O.J., Bramble, J.E., Heisler, I.L. et al. Eggshell Composition of Squamate Reptiles: Relationship between Eggshell Permeability and Amino Acid Distribution. J Chem Ecol 31, 2391–2401 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-005-7108-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-005-7108-x

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