Flexible oviposition behavior enabled the evolution of terrestrial reproduction

In vertebrates, nearly all oviparous animals are considered to have either obligate aquatic or terrestrial oviposition, with eggs that are specialized for developing in those environments. The terrestrial environment has considerably more oxygen but is dry and thus presents both opportunities and challenges for developing embryos, particularly those adapted for aquatic development. Here, we present evidence from field experiments examining egg-laying behavior, egg size and egg jelly function of 13 species of Central and South American treefrogs in the genus Dendropsophus, which demonstrates that flexible oviposition (individuals laying eggs both in and out of water) and eggs capable of both aquatic and terrestrial development are the likely factors which enable the transition from aquatic to terrestrial reproduction. Nearly half of the species we studied had previously undescribed degrees of flexible oviposition. Species with obligate terrestrial reproduction have larger eggs than speci..., Data are field collected behavioral assays, egg jelly hydration rates, and egg diameters., , # Data for \"Flexible oviposition behavior enabled the evolution of terrestrial reproduction\"

[https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.pvmcvdnv1](https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.pvmcvdnv1)

There are three data files that accompany this manuscript. 

1. oviposition.csv
2. hydration.csv
3. diameter.csv

**File name: oviposition.csv**

Description: Oviposition decisions of *Dendropsophus* treefrog females in breeding assays. Females were given access to both aquatic and terrestrial oviposition sites inside shaded or unshaded breeding enclosures and were allowed to lay their eggs in sites of their choosing.  T

Site: The name of the population where the frogs were studied. There were 12 different sites visited during the study.

Species: One of 13 species of *Dendropsophus* treefrogs that were studied.

Date: Date that the photo was taken. Dates are recorded as YYYYMMDD.

Pair: A unique ID for each pair of frogs mated during the behavioral assays.

Treatment: The shade treatment of the breeding enclos...