Study Questions Chapter 9 - Reproduction and Life Histories of Reptiles

1. What selective processes serve to refine the critical temperature for sex determination to a very narrow range?
2. Outline the endocrine control of reproduction with a diagram. Include a discussion of one negative regulatory feedback loop along with the important hormones.
3. Of the 4 sampling schemes (haphazard, quadrat {randomized design or repeated}, depletionary, or longitudinal study of individuals) which can be used to address questions of life history trade-offs? Make sure you include arguments against those three schemes which are inappropriate.
4. Describe the trade-off between the number versus size of offspring. Include graphs relating the life history traits (clutch size, egg mass) and the fitness of the female parent and another graph relating life history traits with fitness of her progeny.
5. Describe the trade-off involving costs of reproduction. Include graphs relating the life history traits (clutch size) and the fitness of female parent to characterize the trade-off involving costs of reproduction.