Reproductive biology of the Mugger Crocodile,Crocodylus palustris,in Iran (Reptilia: Crocodylidae) |
| |
| Authors: | Asghar Mobaraki Elham Abtin Haji Gholi Kami Bahram H Kiabi |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Biodiversity and Wildlife Bureau, Department of Environment , Tehran , Iran amobaraki@yahoo.com;3. Islamic Azad University, Zahedan, and Sistan and Baluchestan Provincial Office, Department of Environment , Zahedan , Iran;4. Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences , Golestan University , Gorgan , Iran;5. Department of Biology , Shahid Beheshti University , Tehran , Iran |
| |
| Abstract: | A small population of Mugger crocodiles occurs in the southeastern part of Iran, in Sistan & Baluchestan Province, at the westernmost global range of the species. The peak nesting season is May and consequently the eggs hatch in July, but the nesting season can be extended. In four nests found in the wild, 24, 26, 21 and 13 eggs were counted. A 2.2 m long female, which fell in an overflow pond, laid 21 eggs on a concrete surface exposed to the air. A female kept in captivity laid 18 and 25 eggs in two consecutive years. The mean size for the eggs in the last three nests was calculated as 75.7 x 47.7 mm and 91.27 g in weight. The mean total length and weight for 19 hatchlings was 30.47 cm (29.2–33.9 cm) and 84.3 g (66.2 to 90.3 g) respectively. Based on the number of observed hatchlings compared with the clutch size, it seems that hatchlings have a high mortality rate in the early stages after hatching as a result of natural threats. |
| |
| Keywords: | Mugger Crocodile eggs hatchlings nesting habitats mortality clutch size |
|
|
