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Reproductive cycle of the common rough-scaled lizard, Ichnotropis squamulosa (Squamata: Lacertidae) from southern Africa.

Article Excerpt
Abstract.--The reproductive cycle of the common rough-scaled lizard, Ichnotropis squamulosa from southern Africa was studied from a histological examination of gonads. The smallest reproductively active male and female I. squamulosa measured 47 mm and 58 mm SVL, respectively. Males began (spermiogenesis) sperm production and females began yolk deposition in February (summer). The reproductive cycle of I. squamulosa differs from that of other lacertid lizards from southern Africa which typically begin sperm production in late winter or early spring concurrent with the onset of yolk deposition. This difference in timing of reproduction may enhance survival of I. squamulosa as its young appear in spring by which time neonates of other lacertid species are larger and have different dietary preferences.

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The common rough-scaled lizard, Ichnotropis squamulosa frequents arid and mesic savannah and ranges through Maputaland, Northern Cape, extreme south and central Mozambique, through Botswana, Zimbabwe and eastern Namibia to Angola and Tanzania (Branch 1998). It is a sit and wait predator that brumates during winter (Pianka 1971) and has a short life span of only eight to nine months (Broadley 1967; Schmidt 2001). There are previous reports on its reproductive biology (Fitzsimons 1943; Broadley 1967; 1974; 1979; Jacobsen 1987; Schmidt 2001). The purpose of this paper is to present additional information on the reproductive cycle of I. squamulosa gathered from a histological examination of gonadal material from museum specimens. The reproductive cycle of I. squamulosa is compared with those of other lizards from southern Africa.

METHODS AND MARERIALS

One hundred and one lizards were examined from the herpetology collection of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, (LACM), Los Angeles, California. The sample consisted of 32 females (mean snout-vent length [SVL] = 56.3 mm [+ or -] 4.4 SD, range: 48-66 mm), 37 males (mean SVL = 53.0 mm [+ or -] 5.4 SD, range: 39-63 mm) and 32 juveniles (mean SVL = 33.4 mm [+ or -] 3.7 SD, range: 28-39 mm). Ichnotropis squamulosa were collected during 1969 and 1970 as part of an ecological study by Pianka (1971; 1986) or in 1972 and 1973.

For histological examination, the left testis and epididymis were removed from...

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