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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Reproductive Biology of Three Sympatric Species of Gymnophthalmid Lizards from the Sand Dunes of the Middle Sao Francisco River, Bahia, Brazil

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Author(s):
Ramiro, Carolina Nisa ; Teixeira Junior, Mauro ; Rodrigues, Miguel Trefaut
Total Authors: 3
Document type: Journal article
Source: South American Journal of Herpetology; v. 12, n. 1, p. 76-88, APR 2017.
Web of Science Citations: 4
Abstract

Gymnophthalmidae is a Neotropical family that comprises small-to medium-sized lizards and a huge diversity of morphologies and habitats. Although they have been broadly targeted in several systematics studies, the knowledge of their reproductive biology is still poorly known, especially for fossorial species like Calyptommatus leiolepis, Nothobachia ablephara, and Procellosaurinus tetradactylus, sympatric species from the dune fields at Sao Francisco River, Bahia, Brazil. We analyzed gonads of 388 specimens of C. leiolepis, 180 of N. ablephara, and 47 of P. tetradactylus from Alagoado sand dunes, Bahia. Females are larger than males in all species and there is no sexual dimorphism in head shape. The three species undergo extended, possibly continuous, reproduction. Variation of testes volume was observed only in C. leiolepis, with lower values between August and December; however, sperm production was detected within this period. Clutch size always comprised two eggs and there was no correlation between egg size and snout-vent length. Only C. leiolepis presented evidence of multiple clutches. The incubation period of the three species is relatively short with early maturation, which probably occurs in the first year of life. Temperature and relative humidity are not restrictive to reproductive activity but are related to the reproductive peaks of females in C. leiolepis and N. ablephara. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/03318-1 - Reproductive biology of two sympatric species of the family Gymnophthalmidae in the region of the São Francisco River dunes, state of Bahia
Grantee:Miguel Trefaut Urbano Rodrigues
Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants