Developmental timing of flash drought influences offspring survival in the field

Extreme climate events, including rapid-onset flash droughts, are increasing with anthropogenic climate change. Flash droughts impact growth and survival of plants, microbes, and invertebrates, yet less is known about their ecological consequences in vertebrates. Although constant water deprivation during vertebrate embryonic development influences a range of offspring traits, the effects of acute, short-term hydric stress are less well-studied, particularly in the context of subsequent survival in the field. In this study, we combined experimental manipulation in the laboratory with a large-scale field experiment to examine the effects of the developmental timing of flash drought in an oviparous vertebrate model. We exposed common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina) eggs to simulated flash drought events at different stages of embryonic development and measured the effects on growth and offspring phenotypes. We then conducted an experimental release in the field to evaluate offspring..., , , # Developmental timing of flash drought influences offspring survival in the field

Dataset DOI: [10.5061/dryad.6hdr7sr9c](10.5061/dryad.6hdr7sr9c)

## Description of the data and file structure

In this study, we exposed 200 common snapping turtle *(Chelydra serpentina)* eggs to one of 5 different flash drought treatments during embryonic development and measured the effects on growth and offspring phenotypes. We then conducted an experimental release in the field to evaluate offspring survival during migration from the nest.

### Files and variables

#### File: Chelydra\_serpentina\_data.csv

**Description:** All data for each individual

##### Variables

* Box: The box (1-10) in which eggs were housed during incubation
* Treatment: Control treatment (WWW), early drought (DWW), mid-incubation drought (WDW), late drought (WWD), or mid + late drought (WDD)
* Early: Treatment during the first trimester of development; W (no drought) or D (drought)
* Mid: Treatment during the second trime...,