<p>Nest-site selection in ectothermic animals influences hatching success
and offspring phenotype, and it is predicted that females should choose nesting
sites that maximise their reproductive fitness, ultimately through the
reproductive success of their offspring. We completed nest-site choice
experiments on a nocturnal lizard, the egg-laying skink (<i>Oligosoma suteri</i>),
to determine whether eggs (and subsequent hatchlings) from cooler nests do
better at cooler incubation temperatures, and conversely if those laid in
warmer nests perform better at warmer incubation temperatures. We provided a
simple nest-choice experiment, with oviposition-retreat sites available in
either a hot or a cool sector of the enclosure; in the wild females nest under
objects. Female <i>O. suteri </i>laid eggs both during the day and night, and
nested more in the hot than cool sector. Eggs from each clutch were split
across three egg incubation temperatures (18°C, 22°C, 26°C) to decouple the
impact of initial nest-site choice from the subsequent incubation temperature
regime. Whether eggs were initially laid in the hot or cool sector was not related
to hatching success, offspring phenotype or offspring locomotor performance. We
conclude that offspring phenotype and performance is primarily influenced by
the temperature during incubation, rather than the initial thermal environment of
the nest location. Thus, female <i>O. suteri </i>may select warmer nesting
sites to ensure higher incubation temperature and enhanced offspring fitness.</p