Editorial: Nesting in reptiles: Natural and anthropogenic threats and evolutionary responses

Reptiles, like other animals, are facing the sixth mass extinction event and are challenged with habitat loss, overexploitation, species invasions, pollution and climate change. Although many reptile species have survived past extinction events, others have not. We are at a critical juncture in which we must determine which species require our intervention vs. which species can persist on their own via evolutionary rescue. Perhaps the most vulnerable life stage of reptiles is the set of developing embryos in nature, which are rarely attended by the mother. The success of this strategy focuses attention on nest site choice behavior -the last time the mother can influence offspring, and thus, her own evolutionary fitness. Our Research Topic involved a collection of 17 papers on the science of nesting in reptiles within the context of anthropogenic threats and potential evolutionary responses. Although our papers form a somewhat eclectic aggregation, they help funnel us toward a better understanding of reptile populations by providing valuable empirical data and relevant reviews.