Showing papers in "Amphibia-reptilia in 1982"
TL;DR: Reproductive mode data were extracted piecemeal from the literature and superimposed over currently accepted phylogenies to permit estimation of the minimum frequencies with which viviparity (live-bearing) has evolved in lizards, as well as to facilitate analysis of hypotheses that genetic sex-determination of the male-heterogametic type as weil as a tendency towards eggention preadapt a lineage for v Viviparity.
Abstract: Reproductive mode data were extracted piecemeal from the literature and superimposed over currently accepted phylogenies to permit estimation of the minimum frequencies with which viviparity (live-bearing) has evolved in lizards, aswell as to facilitateanalysisoffactors hypothesizedto inlluencethis evolution. Viviparity has arisen on at least 45 separate occasions in the Sauria. Each ofthese origins is pinpointed phylogeneticallyas far as is now possible. Ofthese origins, 22 have occurred in the Scincidae, ten in the Iguanidae, five in the Anguidae, two each in the Lacertidae and Gekkonidae, and one each in the Chamaeleontidae, Xantusiidae, Agamidae, and Cordylidae. Further origins may be detected in the Scincidae, Iguanidae, and Diploglossa as phylogenetic relationships are elucidated. Over 19 % of the saurian species are live-bearing, and about 2/3 of the viviparous species are skinks. Most of the sub-generic saurian origins ofviviparity have occurred in cold climates, possibly as an adaptation to facilitate maternal thermoregulation of the developing embryos. Phylogenetic distributions of these origins are consistent with hypotheses that genetic sex-determination of the male-heterogametic type as weil as a tendency towards egg'retention preadapt a lineage for viviparity. Evolution of the live-bearing mode may be constrained by temperature-dependent sex determination, female heterogamety, and formation of highly calcified eggshells.
212 citations
TL;DR: Survival after one year of low food resources was markedly higher in non-reproductive females than in reproductive ones, pointing to a high cost of reproduction at low food density.
Abstract: Reproduction, foraging and other activities of an island population of adder, Vipera berus, were documented in 1974 after a high density of rodents in 1973. The study was repeated in 1975 after one year of diminished food resources. In spring 1974 the weight status (body mass/length) of all categories of island adders was significantly higher than in adjacent mainland populations. After one year of food scarcity mean body mass had decreased significantly in all categories of adders. At the same time mean body length in males, (but not in females) increased significantly. Survival after one year of low food resources was markedly higher in non-reproductive females than in reproductive ones, pointing to a high cost of reproduction at low food density. In 1975, spring sloughing in males was delayed and prolonged, and reproduction failed completely. The foraging period was prolonged and included spring. Most adders then left their normal spring habitats close to the hibernation area and moved to foraging habitats. Predator evasion distance was much shorter than in well-nourished adders.
61 citations
TL;DR: Observations on other agamids from the same region indicate the extent to which agamid skin generally permits water passage; they allow a better definition of the specializations of Moloch.
Abstract: The Australian desert lizard, Moloch, has been reported to collect water by aposing its body to wet surfaces. This water passes through small open capillary channels over the integumentary surface to reach the mouth where it is swallowed. Experiments and scanning micrographs show that water collection and water transport are more complex and occur in different regions of the integument than described. Observations on other agamids from the same region indicate the extent to which agamid skin generally permits water passage; they allow a better definition of the specializations of Moloch.
51 citations
TL;DR: The data suggest a divergence ofwestern Palearctic water frogs from the eastern North American R. catesbeiana ofabout 43 x 10 6 years ago and agrees with other data suggesting groupings of the taxa represented.
Abstract: Reciprocal immunological distances between six albumins of five taxa (Rana lessonae, Italian non-hybrids, R perezi, the slow and fast albumins of R ridibunda, and a sample possibly representing R saharica) were determined with microcomplement fixation The immunological distances determined by each antiserum were scaled so that the sum of distances to each albumin was identical to the sum of distances from that albumin The scaled reciprocal values were then averaged and used to generate 39 Fitch-Margoliash phenograms The three lowest percent standard deviations (% SD) for phenograms were 57, 83 and 86; the next lowest was 121; eight phenograms had % SD less than 20 The three phenograms with lowest (% SD agreed in grouping (a) the two albumins of Rana ridibunda; (b) Rana lessonae and the Italian non-hybrid; and (c) Rana perezi and R "saharica " In the lowest % SD phenogram, the two ridibunda alleles are linked to the R lessonae-Italian non-hybrid pair; in the next, the two ridibunda albumins were linked first to the R perezi-R "saharica" pair; in the third, the R lessonae-Italian non-hybrid pair was linked first to the R perezi-R "saharica" pair These latter two phenograms include legs of -58 and -47, respectively Five triads of data among the 35 possible in the lowest% SD phenogram fail to conform to the triangle inequality; this is associated with the failure of the antiserum to the rapidly migrating ridibunda albumin to distinguish between the two ridibunda albumins This posed no problem in grouping the albumins The negative legs in the second and third ranked phenograms are like those generated by the Fitch-Margoliash algorithm when additive data are forced into a tree other than that specified by the additive data The three lowest % SD phenograms agree with other data suggesting groupings of the taxa represented They all place the two ridibunda albumins together, and they all group R lessonae with the I talian non-hybrid form; these latter two share numerous electrophoretic markers The data suggest a divergence ofwestern Palearctic water frogs from the eastern North American R catesbeiana ofabout 43 x 10 6 years ago R lessonae and the Italian non-hybrid may have shared a common ancestor with R ridibunda some 12 x 10 6 years ago; R lessonae and the Italian non-hybrids may have diverged as recently as 4 x 10 6 years ago The two ridibunda albumins may differ by as little as one amino acid residue The Iberian R perezi and saharica may have diverged from the central European cluster about 16 x 16 6 years ago, and from each other about 6 x 10 6 years ago; this latter divergence may reflect the refilling of the Mediterranean Sea following a dry period some 7-55 x 10 6 years ago
43 citations
TL;DR: Trophic relationships and foraging strategies are examined in two New World arboreal, diurnal, snake communities: Leptophis mexicanus, Oxybelis aeneus, and O.fulgidus from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and Uromacer catesbyi and U. oxyrhynchus from Isla Saona, Republica Dominicana.
Abstract: Trophic relationships and foraging strategies are examined in two New World arboreal, diurnal, snake communities: Leptophis mexicanus, Oxybelis aeneus, and O.fulgidus from Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, and Uromacer catesbyi and U. oxyrhynchus from Isla Saona, Republica Dominicana. Active foragers (L. mexicanus and U. catesbyi) have similar body proportions and feed primarily on diurnally quiescent prey (hylid frogs, bird eggs). Sit-and-wait strategists (O. aeneus, O.fulgidus and U. oxyrhynchus) have similar body proportions and feed on diurnally active prey (primarily lizards). Active foragers take prey that is, on the average, larger than the prey of sit-and-wait foragers, but presumably, active foragers expend more energy in locating prey. Trophic niche breadth is widest among the active foragers and narrowest for the slender vine snakes (O. aeneus and U. oxyrhynchus). Trophic niche overlap values are low for species pairs that occur sympatrically (or syntopically) with the exception of O. aeneus-O. fulgidus, but O. fufgidus preys on a wider variety of lizard taxa, preys on birds (which are absent from the diet of O. aeneus), and takes prey items that are significantly larger in size. It seems likely that, among arboreal colubrids, the sit-and-wait foraging strategy is derived from one of active foraging.
34 citations
TL;DR: The herpetological community of Caurel represents the transition from the Mediterranean region to the European shore region, very much in accordance with the climatic and botanical characteristics of the zone, where the seasonality plays an important role just as the glaciarism appears to have determined a Reptile community evolutionally young.
Abstract: The present work studies the herpetological community of Caurel (NW, of Spain): biogeography and ecology. Biogeography: altitudinal distribution of species, altitudinal variation in abundance of species and stratification reflect a decrease with the altitude bound to climatic reasons and productivity in Reptiles and to lesser heterogeneity of biotopes in Amphibians. There is a greater altitudinal stratification of the subcommunity of Amphibians than of Reptiles. Ecology: the different physiological requirements of Amphibians from land habitats and Lizards are reflected in a temporal alternation (seasonal and daily) in the exploitation of the same trophical resource. The snakes occupy another trophical level (predators and superpredators) and the tritons live in another habitat (subaquatic) with different resources and they have a different diet. The problem of interspecific competition is dealt with in two concrete cases: Lacertidae and Triturus. Great differences in size or corporal shape and behaviour permit coexistence but in the opposite case they separate themselves throughout the area, distributing the biotopes according to their physiological preferences. There are cases (Lacerta schreiberi and Triturus boscai) in which there appears to be a spatial displacement due to a diffuse competition with congenital species. One highlights the importance of the habitat in the food diet of some species, which becomes very clear comparing the tritons with the lizards and amphibians from land habitats. One questions the problem of stability and heterogeneity (climatic and spatial), competition and predation as factors which impel and influence the evolution of communities and species. In relation with studies realized in other areas we see that the herpetological community of Caurel represents the transition from the Mediterranean region to the European shore region, very much in accordance with the climatic and botanical characteristics of the zone, where the seasonality plays an important role just as the glaciarism appears to have determined a Reptile community evolutionally young.
31 citations
TL;DR: This lizard species is wide ranging and non-territorial ; only one agonistic encounter was recorded and it was interspecific (with Psammodromus algirus).
Abstract: Autecological aspects of Acanthodactylus erythrurus were examined at La Algaida, Cadiz Province, Spain. The male population is composed of 60 % adult and 40 % subadult individuals; male hatchlings increase in size at a rate of 0.06 mm/day from hatching ( 31 mm snout-vent length) to sexual maturity (∼61 mm); 50 % do not survive beyond 1.5 years, but those which reach adult size may live 1.9 years. Females grow from hatching (∼ 28 mm) to sexual maturity( 57 mm) at a rate of 0.05 mm/day; less than half survive 1.4 years and the life span of some individuals is 2.1 years. Adult males outnumber adult females 1.4:1, but subadult ratios are 1:1. Adults and subadults associate with different plant species during their activity period, but each age class tends to avoid open sand patches. These 8.4-13 g lizards feed on a wide variety of insects and appreciable quantities of plant material. 49% ofall males and 82% ofall females actively consume Halimium halimifolium. We suspect this lizard species is wide ranging and non-territorial ; only one agonistic encounter was recorded and it was interspecific (with Psammodromus algirus). The frequency of escape from predation is estimated at 26.8 %, based on tail-loss figures, and the incidence of cestode parasitism (Oochoristica cf. tuberculata) is 2.1 %. The population studied was highly resilient to 16 months of intense human predation.
29 citations
TL;DR: Based on oral anatomy Pelabates fuscus appears to occupy an intermediate position within the Anura and a basal position among the Ranoidea, which are morphilogical very heterogeneous in oral characters.
Abstract: With few additions (structures here called prenarial lobes, prenarial arena pustulations, prevalar pustulations), WASSERSUG'S ( 1976) terminology is adequate to describe the oral structures of Central European anuran larvae. The oral cavities of Bombina and Alytes (Discoglossidoidei) are very similar in structure. Based on oral anatomy Pelabates fuscus appears to occupy an intermediate position within the Anura and a basal position among the Ranoidea, which are morphilogical very heterogeneous in oral characters. This assessment is consistent with the findings of other authors working on the anatomy of the tadpole head. Extensive morphological diversity can be found even within the genus Rana (Greenfrogs, Brownfrogs). It is, however, possible to clearly differentiate between genera and a generic key is presented based on the oral features. The oral ontogeny begins as soon as larval growth begins (stage 28). Lingual papillae, the buccal floor arena (BFA), the buccal pockets, the prenarial papillae and the median ridge papillae all differentiate very early. The anlagen for all larval structures are already present at stage 25.
21 citations
TL;DR: Hyla aperomea n.
Abstract: Hyla aperomea n. sp. is described from the cloud forests on the eastern slopes of the Andes in Peru. The new species is the only Andean species in a complex of small Hyla having 30 chromosomes and otherise inhabiting the cis-Andean tropical lowlands.
20 citations
TL;DR: Important differences between Podarcis muralis andPodarcis tiliguerta are apparently sufficient to justify the maintenance of this taxon at the specific level, and the diminution of percentage of polymorphic loci for micro-insular P. tiligUerta populations according to the removal from Sardinia and the estimate separation's time is established.
Abstract: An electrophoretic investigation of 17 gene loci in 11 populations of Meditteraneans lacertids (Podarcis muralis, P. tiliguerta, P. hispanica, P. sicula, "Archaeolacerta" bedriagae) completed with a dendrogram after unweighted pair groups' arithmetic average cluster analysis of NEI genetic identity values, show: - important differences between Podarcis muralis and Podarcis tiliguerta, apparently sufficient to justify the maintenance of this taxon at the specific level; - important differences between animals of Archaeolacerta, Podarcis and Lacerta s. str. (MAYER et TIEDEMANN, 1982) which would allow to raise Archaeolacerta at a generic statute. This study allows equally to establish the diminution of percentage of polymorphic loci for micro-insular P. tiliguerta populations according to the removal from Sardinia and the estimate separation's time. A tentative phylogenetic explanation is done by the authors.
19 citations
TL;DR: The incrassatio frontoparietalis is a clearly delimited part of the frontopARietal, covering the gap or gaps in the dorsal wall of the endocranium, and is probably a good diagnostic character in frogs.
Abstract: The incrassatio frontoparietalis is a clearly delimited part ofthe frontoparietal, covering the gap or gaps in the dorsal wall of the endocranium. In frogs, this structure originates in very early ontogenetic stages, and keeps its shape without considerable changes till maturity. Therefore, it is probably a good diagnostic character. Moreover, it is presumed that this structure also is a good phylogenetic character, and its study based on an extensive recent and fossil material might contribute to our present knowledge of the frog phylogeny.
TL;DR: To evaluate the intensity of competition between the two species requires the determination of the availability of trophic resources as compared with the needs of predators.
Abstract: The diets of Lacerta vivipara and Rana temporaria were determined from the analysis of the stomach contents of individuals caught at the same time in the same place (Puy-de-Dome, France). The diet of the common frog is more diversified, according to taxonomy as well as to the size of prey items. Besides, average length of prey captured by the frog (7.9 mm) is greater than that of the lizard (4.6 mm). Nevertheless the diet overlap index is much greater according to the later criterium than to taxonomic classification. Contrary to what has been shown in several cases where prey size is the main factor, trophic behaviour, hunting stratum and daily activity cycle- between others - play a great part in the separation of the trophic niches of the two studied populations. Finally, to evaluate the intensity of competition between the two species requires the determination of the availability of trophic resources as compared with the needs of predators.
TL;DR: A relict population of natterjack toads on heathland in southern England has been studied over a ten year period and the numbers of adults have not fluctuated significantly although there has been recruitment only in the latter five years.
Abstract: A relict population of natterjack toads (Bufo calamita) on heathland in southern England has been studied over a ten year period. During this time the numbers of adults have not fluctuated significantly although there has been recruitment only in the latter five years. pH, inorganic ions and organic components of the freshwaters have been studied together with thermal properties, tadpole growth rates and abundance of potential predators. Conservation measures and their success so far are also described.
TL;DR: Five groups of frogs of the Rana esculenta complex from some Swedish populations were examined and compared with imported R. ridibunda, resolving all the possible combinations of genomes (LL, LLR, LR, RRL and RR).
Abstract: Frogs of the Rana esculenta complex from some Swedish populations were examined and compared with imported R. ridibunda. Four groups of the frogs were discriminated from morphometrical indices : two correspond to the parental species R. lessonae(LL) and R. ridibunda(RR, not found freeliving in Sweden), one with the triploid hybrids of RRL genotype, and finally one group with LR and LLR hybrids. Albumin patterns revealed by serum electrophoresis confirmed the genotypes, with gene dosage effects being apparent in the triploids. Triploids were furthermore identified by their large erythrocytes in blood smears. Immunological distances measured with antisera to the lessonae albumin and to the slow ridibunda albumin demonstrated the five groups of frogs in the material by distincly resolving all the possible combinations of genomes (LL, LLR, LR, RRL and RR).
TL;DR: It is shown that this species lived contemporaneously also on Sicily, and the zoogeographical aspects of the fossil form as compared with recent members of the genus are discussed.
Abstract: Lacerta siculimelitensis sp. n., an extinct giant lizard species is described from the Late Pleistocene of Malta. It is shown that this species lived contemporaneously also on Sicily. The zoogeographical aspects of the fossil form as compared with recent members of the genus are discussed.
TL;DR: The recent collecting of five specimens of Atheris ceratophorus WERNER, 1895, together with an examination of material already deposited in various museums documents new records outside the Usambara Mountains, providing some information on the natural history of this species.
Abstract: The recent collecting of five specimens of Atheris ceratophorus WERNER, 1895, together with an examination of material already deposited in various museums documents new records outside the Usambara Mountains to which the species had been believed to be endemic. Lepidosis and hemipenial characters have been investigated and tabulated to give an impression of the intraspecific variation. The data of the new specimens provide some information on the natural history of this species. The validity of A. nitschei rungweensis is discussed and a probable new record is given.
TL;DR: The age of 103 specimens from a wild population of Cophosaurus texanus (Sauria, Iguanidae) from Mexico is determined by counting skeletal growth rings in the diaphysis of the humerus and phalanges by the skeletochronological method.
Abstract: The age of 103 specimens from a wild population of Cophosaurus texanus (Sauria, Iguanidae) from Mexico is determined by counting skeletal growth rings in the diaphysis of the humerus and phalanges. The skeletochronological analysis of 8 lizards ofknown age supports the practical value of the method. However, inacuracies do occur in practice for age assessement of a few specimens. I n the sample studied, we observed three main age groups (and possibly a fourth one based on a single specimen four years old). The one year age class is the most numerous, accounting for 75 % of the sample studied. Females lay eggs twice each summer with an interval of sixty days between each spawning. The use ofthe skeletochronological method also allows to sort out the individuals belonging to the first or to the second clutch, at every stage of their subsequent lives.
TL;DR: The configuration of peripheral bones, and advent of well developed plastral callosities at a relatively small size that indicates small maximal size, suggest specific status for L. p.
Abstract: Although long-conceived as a monotypic species of three subspecies (SMITH, 1931), intergradation has not yet been demonstrated between subspecies of Lissemys punctata. The two subspecies L. p. punctata and L. p. andersoni show intergradation in pattern features of head and carapace, and are similar in osteological features. The configuration of peripheral bones, and advent of well developed plastral callosities at a relatively small size that indicates small maximal size, suggest specific status for L. p. scutata..
TL;DR: While no significant taxonomic differences were detected between the samples of different populations, the range diagrams show a marked difference between the adult males, adult females, sub-adults, juveniles and larvae of the same population.
Abstract: Mertensiella caucasica specimens, collected from various parts of northeastern Anatolia, are compared statistically and from the point of view of their pattern and coloration. While no significant taxonomic differences were detected between the samples of different populations, the range diagrams, constructed from several body ratios, show a marked difference between the adult males, adult females, sub-adults, juveniles and larvae of the same population.
TL;DR: The authors concluded that the vertebral stripe in R. ridibunda is controlled by an autosomic gene and that the allele responsible for the presence oflight stripe is dominant and its antagonistic one is recessive.
Abstract: The authors examined the inheritance of the vertebral stripe in the progeny of F 1 ,F 2 and F 3 generations of Rana rridibunda from Turkey. The female as unstriped and the male as striped. All F 1 , froglets were striped, in F2 froglets this colour pattern segregated according to MENDEL'S law 3:1 (95 frogs were striped and 29 unstriped). In F 3 froglets which were received from unstriped parents, only unstriped individuals appeared. Numbers of females and males among individuals of both colour patterns were normal (1:1). The authors concluded that the vertebral stripe in R. ridibunda is controlled by an autosomic gene and that the allele responsible for the presence oflight stripe is dominant and its antagonistic one is recessive.
TL;DR: Investigations on size and density of Triturus populations were made between 1976 and 1979 at four small waters in the surroundings of Munster (West Germany), but in all others, population fluctuations were observed.
Abstract: Investigations on size and density of Triturus populations were made between 1976 and 1979 at four small waters in the surroundings of Munster (West Germany). All waters contained mixed populations consisting of two or three species (Triturus vulgaris, T. alpestris, T. cristatus). Populations of individual species varied from very small numbers to nearly 890 adults. The largest mixed population had a maximum of about 1780 adults. Density was between less than 0,1 and more than 5 specimens per m 2 . In the largest mixed population the maximum density was about 10 specimens per m 2 . Water temperature has a great influence on population density. In one population the size did not vary within the study time (four years), but in all others, population fluctuations were observed. These fluctuations were small in large populations, but in small populations small as well as great fluctuations were observed.
TL;DR: Adaptive stability of karyotypes, as a result ofa canalization process of chromosomal evolution, and absence of complex social behaviour promoting population subdivision and inbreeding, are the evolutionary factors presumably correlated with the remarkable conservativeness of kARYotype observed within the family Lacertidae.
Abstract: The chromosome complements of Podarcis filfolensis, P. tiliguerta, P. wagleriana and Archaeolacerta bedriagae were analyzed in bone marrow somatic mitoses as well as in meiotic diakinesis. All four species are characterized by the typical lacertid karyotype consisting of 38 chromosomes (36 acrocentric macrochromosomes plus 2 microchromosomes). Adaptive stability of karyotypes, as a result ofa canalization process of chromosomal evolution, and absence of complex social behaviour promoting population subdivision and inbreeding, are the evolutionary factors presumably correlated with the remarkable conservativeness of karyotype observed within the family Lacertidae.
TL;DR: The breeding biology of the lizard AgamaStellio stellio was investigated and it was found that adult testis weight changes markedly during the year, reaching maximum size in spring and minimum in summer.
Abstract: In this study, the breeding biology of the lizard Agama stellio stellio was investigated. Adult testis weight changes markedly during the year, reaching maximum size in spring and minimum in summer. Seminiferous tubule diameter has its maximum level in spring and minimum in summer. Spermatogenesis is initiated in mid August and terminated in early July. Spermiogenesis is generally restricted to the period following hibernation. In July and August there is a complete spermatogenetic stasis. Epididymal tubules have their maximum diameter and epithelial cell height in spring. They are secretory during this season.
TL;DR: The qualitative and quantitative analysis of some morphological characteristics show the existence of significant differences between males and females in Triturus boscai from the "Parque Nacional de Peneda-Geres".
Abstract: In this paper we have studies Triturus boscai from the "Parque Nacional de Peneda-Geres". The qualitative and quantitative analysis of some morphological characteristics show the existence of significant differences between males and females. The present study have been based on the biometrical analysis of 337 specimens collected in several seasons.
TL;DR: The author investigated carotenoids in Bufo viridis and found the presence of neothxanthin and the following carOTenoids were noted: β- carotene, β-carotene epoxide, β -cryptoxanthin, lutein,lutein epoxide and isozeaxanthin.
Abstract: The author investigated carotenoids in Bufo viridis. The presence of neothxanthin and the following carotenoids were noted: β-carotene, β-carotene epoxide, β-cryptoxanthin,lutein,lutein epoxide, isozeaxanthin, zeaxanthin, astaxanthin, astaxanthin ester, mutatochrome and mutatoxanthin. The total content of carotenoid was 10.944-15.814 μg/g fresh weight.
TL;DR: For the first time proof is given of the existence of the Aegean Bogenfingergecko on the islands of Thirasia and Thira in the Santorin archipelago and the specimens are to be allocated taxonomically to the transition form saronicus x solerii.
Abstract: For the first time proof is given of the existence of the Aegean Bogenfingergecko (Cyrtodactylus kotschyi) on the islands of Thirasia and Thira in the Santorin archipelago. A brief survey of the herpetological research work concerning this archipelago is provided. The collected material was biometrically analysed. As a result of this investigation the specimens of both islands are to be allocated taxonomically to the transition form saronicus x solerii.
TL;DR: A preliminary cytotaxonomic survey seems to support the opinion that the Caucasian salamander can be referred to a well defined genus Mertensiella rather than a subgenus of Salamandra.
Abstract: Chromosome number, karyotype and chromosomal banding pattern of Mertensiella caucasica were studied in differentially stained mitotic preparations. The main feature of the C-banded appearance concerns the centromere regions, which are heavily stained by the Giemsa and are outlined by proximal C-bands. This morpho-structural character seems to be peculiar of the genome of M. caucasica, when compared with the C-banding pattern shown by the chromosomes of Salamandra, considered the most closely related form. Therefore, a preliminary cytotaxonomic survey seems to support the opinion that the Caucasian salamander can be referred to a well defined genus Mertensiella rather than a subgenus of Salamandra.
TL;DR: The time it takes the Tarentola mauritanica eggs to hatch in a locality in the South of Spain, counted from the moment of laying, has been much less than quoted in this respect so far.
Abstract: The time it takes the Tarentola mauritanica eggs to hatch in a locality in the South of Spain, counted from the moment of laying, has been much less than quoted in this respect so far for this species. The following results have been obtained: 4, 5, 8, 10 and 12 days (maximum). The possible generalization of this reproductive strategy is being discussed, as well as the possible advantages that it presents over the classical oviparity model.
TL;DR: This communication describes the metrical relationship between growing oocytes and their nuclei in two gekkonine lizards, Hemidactylus flaviviridis and H. brooki, from India with the aim of determining the extent of the influence of the nucleus over the growth and differentiation of the oocytes of these lizards.
Abstract: The role played by the nucleus in growth and differentiation of oocytes in lower chordates is well documented (CASPERSSON, 1950; RAO, 1959; MAZIA, 1969). All such studies ask for the determination of changes in the nuclear size at different stages of growth of the oocytes to establish such a role. No account of dimensional changes in a growing oocyte correlated with changes in its nucleus is available for an amniote and to the best of our knowledge, none for a reptile. This communication describes the metrical relationship between growing oocytes and their nuclei in two gekkonine lizards, Hemidactylus flaviviridis and H. brooki, from India with the aim of determining the extent of the influence of the nucleus over the growth and differentiation of the oocytes of these lizards.