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Sexual cycle of the lizard, Leiolopisma fuscum , a tropical australian skink
Author(s) -
Wilhoft Daniel C.,
Reiter Edward O.
Publication year - 1965
Publication title -
journal of morphology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1097-4687
pISSN - 0362-2525
DOI - 10.1002/jmor.1051160306
Subject(s) - skink , biology , rainforest , lizard , ecology , habitat , reproductive cycle , sauria , zoology , reproduction
Leiolopisma fuscum were obtained monthly between October, 1959, and March, 1960, in northeastern Australia, latitude 16°44'S. Gross as well as histological changes observed in the gonads and accessory sex structures of lizards of both sexes revealed seasonal variation in reproductive activity, which reached a peak in December and January. During March the gonads and accessory sex structures regressed in size but by October both sexes were again reproductively active. The reproductive activity of L. fuscum , and open forest form, was compared with that of L. rhomboidalis , a related inhabitant of the rainforest. Differences in the reproductive activity of the two species were attributed to differences in the habitats and in the climatic stimuli, especially annual rainfall, associated with these habitats. Leiolopisma fuscum which occurs over much of coastal northern Australia and part of southern Papua, is far more widespread than the other species. Its cyclic reproductive pattern is probably more typical of the genus. The reproductive cycle of L. rhomboidalis is probably adaptively specialized for conditions in the rainforest, where the physical environment is subject to less seasonal variation.