My first MSc student Willem Meilink has been awarded an NWO Promotiebeurs voor leraren. This will allow him to pursue his PhD in my lab, while continuing his job as a high school teacher. We know that in the balanced lethal system in Triturus two distinct forms of chromosome 1 are required for survival. Willem will use a variety of genetic techniques to test if the irrevocable loss of 50% of reproductive output, concerning the unfortunate offspring that inherit the same chromosome form from both their parents, can be explained by crucial genes simply being absent on one of the two chromosome forms.
Wielstra Lab 
I have heard (hearsay) of breeders having better than 50% hatch! This made me wonder, could there be an “epigenetic?” control that reduces wasted effort, or some benefit in this waste?
Could the waste eggs be more attractive to egg predators?
I think hearsay is insufficient. It would need a bit more systematic approach. The breeders in our team did not experience this! There is no indications that the wasted eggs are in any way used in a way that is beneficial to their siblings or parents.