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Ecological or Phylogenetic Interpretations of Crocodilian Nesting Habits

Nature volume 238, pages 404–405 (1972)Cite this article

Abstract

NESTING habits within the Crocodilia range from simple excavation of a hole for egg deposition (as in most reptiles) to the construction of mounds of vegetation or other materials in which the eggs are deposited. Nests constructed by some Crocodilia show a considerable advance over those of any other reptilian group; this ability of the Crocodilia has been widely discussed. Wermuth1 interpreted the available data to indicate that all possible gradations from simple hole nesting to elaborate mound construction were represented. Greer2, following Schmidt3, believes that nesting habits may indicate relationships, and has recently divided the group into hole versus mound nesting categories and discussed the evolutionary significance of this dichotomy.

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  1. Department of Zoology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32601

    HOWARD W. CAMPBELL

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  1. HOWARD W. CAMPBELL
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CAMPBELL, H. Ecological or Phylogenetic Interpretations of Crocodilian Nesting Habits. Nature 238, 404–405 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/238404a0

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