REPRODUCTIVE-BIOLOGY OF 4 SPECIES OF TROPICAL AUSTRALIAN LIZARDS AND COMMENTS ON THE FACTORS REGULATING LIZARD REPRODUCTIVE-CYCLES

被引:26
作者
CLERKE, RB [1 ]
ALFORD, RA [1 ]
机构
[1] JAMES COOK UNIV N QUEENSLAND,DEPT ZOOL,TOWNSVILLE,QLD 4811,AUSTRALIA
关键词
D O I
10.2307/1564826
中图分类号
Q95 [动物学];
学科分类号
071002 ;
摘要
We examined the reproductive cycles of four species of lizards through one year in the middle-latitude (19-degrees-S) seasonal Australian tropics. The gonads of male Cryptoblepharus virgatus were active all year except during mid-summer (January-March), while female gonads were active August through January. The reproductive condition of male Carlia pectoralis peaked during September through November, while female condition peaked in November through February. Male Heteronotia binoei reached peak reproductive condition in July-September, but appeared to be capable of reproduction in April through November. Female gonadal activity in H. binoei commenced in July, and continued through January. Lampropholis delicata males were in reproductive condition in all months, while females were reproductive September-February. Female reproductive activity in all species except C. pectoralis commenced earlier in the year than in related species at higher latitudes. Because female reproductive activity in two of the species commenced in mid-winter, which is also the middle of the dry season, we do not believe that it is triggered by increasing temperature, photoperiod, or rainfall. Instead, reproductive activity may be controlled by total exposure to solar radiation, either across the spectrum or concentrated in the ultraviolet.
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页码:400 / 406
页数:7
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