The reproductive cycle of the Namaqua sand lizard, Pedioplanis namaquensis, from southern Africa is described from histological examination of gonadal material from museum specimens. Males followed a seasonal testicular cycle in which sperm was produced in January–March and September–December. Testes in regression were present in March and May. Females with enlarged ovarian follicles (>4 mm length) or oviductal eggs were collected between November and February. Clutch size for 14 females was 3.8 ± 0.97 S.D. eggs, range 3–5. Histological evidence is presented that two clutches may be produced in the same reproductive season.
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1 April 2006
Reproductive cycle of the Namaqua sand lizard, Pedioplanis namaquensis (Squamata: Lacertidae), from southern Africa
Stephen R. Goldberg
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African Zoology
Vol. 41 • No. 1
April 2006
Vol. 41 • No. 1
April 2006
Lacertidae
Pedioplanis namaquensis
reproductive cycle
southern Africa