Energy Content of Lizard Eggs and the Measurement of Reproductive Effort

Abstract

A nested analysis of variance experimental design was used to test the null hypothesis that no significant variation occurs in the caloric content per gram of lizard egg yolk. Experimental determinations of energy content per gram dry weight of yolk were made using a Parr oxygen bomb calorimeter and standard calorimetry procedures. Yolk was oven dried and weighed to the nearest 0.0001 gram. Care was taken to exclude membrane and shell material from samples. Samples were taken from eggs which were obtained by autopsy of freshly killed individuals except for eggs of Eumeces which were found in natural nests.