Theory 24/Reproductive biology
Shell Porosity Is Two Losses
The claim
Eggshell porosity is set by the ratio of oxygen demand to water loss tolerance, so a high-altitude egg must be more porous for oxygen and therefore loses more water.
01Mechanism
Gas exchange and water loss share the same pores; the ratio determines the pore density that satisfies both constraints.
02Predictions
- P1Porosity should track the ratio.
- P2Egg size alone should mispredict.
03Refutation
Porosity tracking altitude would remove the water constraint.
04Why it resists the grid
A structure that solves a two-variable optimisation at the boundary between embryo and atmosphere.