Male reproductive cycle in Aspidoscelis costata costata (Squamata: Teiidae) from Tonatico,Estado de México,México |
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| Authors: | Gisela Granados‐González Justin L Rheubert Maricela Villagrán‐SantaCruz María E González‐Herrera Jessica V Dávila‐Cedillo Kevin M Gribbins Oswaldo Hernández‐Gallegos |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México, Toluca Centro, México;2. Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO, USA;3. Laboratorio de Biología de la Reproducción Animal, Departamento de Biología Comparada, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Distrito Federal, México;4. Department of Biology, Wittenberg University, Springfield, OH, USA |
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| Abstract: | The purpose of this study was to investigate the reproductive cycle of a high‐elevation population of Aspidoscelis costata costata (1500–1600 m) and compare its reproductive cycle with that of other populations, species, and closely related genera. Adult male A. costata costata lizards were collected, and the reproductive tracts were removed and subjected to histological analyses. Testicular activity commences in March with maximum testicular activity and highest sperm abundance (in the epididymides) occurring between May and July. The testis remains at peak activity until September when a late regression/early quiescent phase is observed. Leydig cells follow this same pattern except these hormone‐producing cells remain at maximum secretory level through September. Sperm are present in the epididymides in April–September. This pattern is consistent with the spring recrudescence found in a multitude of male lizard taxa. However, this differs from the continuous cycle observed in some tropical Teiid species and other lizard taxa at high elevation. This study indicates that our knowledge about lizard spermatogenic cycles remains incomplete, and additional studies are required to fully understand the interactions between phenotype, evolution, phylogenetics and environment. |
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| Keywords: | spermatogenesis reproduction lizard testis histology |
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