Reproductive biology of the Amazon Lava Lizard (Tropidurustorquatus) from the Wet Chaco of Corrientes (Argentina): congeneric comparisons of ecotypic and interspecific variations

Abstract

Herein we describe the reproductive biology of a population of the Amazon Lava Lizard (Tropidurus torquatus (Wied-Neuwied, 1820)) from Corrientes, northeastern Argentina (Wet Chaco). We describe the male and female reproductive cycles, minimum body size for adults, reproductive output, mean relative clutch mass, fat body cycles, and sexual dimorphism. Our results were compared with data on the reproductive biology of Brazilian populations of T. torquatus and congeneric species. In Corrientes, males of T. torquatus exhibited a continuous reproductive cycle, but with annual variation of testicular parameters associated with spermatogenic activity. In contrast, females were reproductive only from winter to summer (July–February), laying at least two clutches each of six eggs, on average, per reproductive season. The relative clutch mass and egg size values in Corrientes were the highest reported for the species. The annual cycle of energy storage (as fat bodies) was inversely correlated with reproductive activity in both sexes. Males differed from females in snout–vent length, head size, interlimb length, and tail length. We observed interpopulational differences in relative clutch mass, egg volume and mass, incubation period and hatching time, and the minimum body size for sexual maturity probably as a result of phenotypic plasticity or adaptation to local environmental conditions and likely both.

Development and differentiation of the reproductive system of Tropidurus catalanensis (Squamata: Tropiduridae)

“…In T. catalanensis , the onset of spermatogenesis is verified in the specimen of 51.9 mm SVL, and advanced spermatogenic activity is observed in the specimen at 61.4 mm SVL. This validates the study of Ortiz et al () that determined the minimum reproductive size of approximately 63.2 mm SVL.…”

“…The reproductive cycle of males is characterized by continuous testicular activity with peaks of sperm production in spring (September–October). Females start reproductive activity in late winter (July) and lay eggs from spring to late summer (October–December), producing multiple clutches with 4–9 eggs each per reproductive period (Ortiz, Boretto, Piantoni, Álvarez, & Ibargüengoytía, ). The aim of this study is to describe gonadal development and differentiation of T. catalanensis from embryonic development to hatching, and analyze ovarian and testicular dynamics during the juvenile period.…”

Germinative cells and spermatogenesis of the lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Tropiduridae) from a urban area in the cerrado biome of the brazilian midwest

“…Some species have continuous production of spermatozoa, despite the decrease in testicular parameters (e.g. T. torquatus, WIEDERHECKER et al, 2002;ORTIZ et al, 2014). Others have a seasonal reproduction, concentrating spermatogenesis in a specific period, such as T. itambere and T. hispidus (VAN SLUYS et al, 1993;RIBEIRO et al, 2012).…”

A Staging Table of Post‐Ovipositional Development for the South American Collared Lizard Tropidurus torquatus (Squamata: Tropiduridae)

“…This species is a well‐known model in ecological studies, with many aspects explored such as: diet (Rocha and Bergallo, ; Fialho et al, ; Siqueira et al, ), demography (Wiederhecker et al, ), thermal biology (Bergallo and Rocha, ; Kiefer et al, ), locomotor performance (Kohlsdorf and Navas, ) and reproduction (Vieira et al, ; Wiederhecker et al, ; Ortiz et al, ). However, there is no literature regarding its embryological development.…”