I evaluated the life history of Florida Sand Skinks (Neoseps reynoldsi), fossorial lizards endemic to central Florida. Based on museum specimens, literature records, and field captures, sand skinks have a single mating period each year, lasting from February through May. Females produce a single clutch each year between May and June, although some reproduce biennially or less frequently. Mean clutch size from counts of enlarged follicles and eggs was 2.2 (range two to three; if only oviducal eggs are counted, clutch size was two). Mark-recapture data indicate that sand skinks do not reproduce before 19–23 months of age and that sand skinks can live to at least eight to 10 years of age. The suite of life-history traits shown by sand skinks (low frequency of reproduction, small clutch size, late maturity, and long lifespan) is similar to those of other fossorial lizards.
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1 September 2005
Life History of a Fossorial Lizard, Neoseps reynoldsi
Kyle G. Ashton
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