The crested newt (Triturus carnifex) in the Submediterranean: Reproductive biology, body size, and age

1996 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dragana Cvetković ◽  
Miloš L. Kalezić ◽  
Ana Djorović ◽  
Georg Džukić
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Crested Newt

Dinosaur Macroevolution and Macroecology

2018 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 379-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roger B.J. Benson
Keyword(s):  
Life History ◽  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Fossil Record ◽  
Structural Diversity ◽  
Body Plan ◽  
Adaptive Landscape ◽  
Species Diversification ◽  
Size Evolution ◽  
Body Size Evolution

Dinosaurs were large-bodied land animals of the Mesozoic that gave rise to birds. They played a fundamental role in structuring Jurassic–Cretaceous ecosystems and had physiology, growth, and reproductive biology unlike those of extant animals. These features have made them targets of theoretical macroecology. Dinosaurs achieved substantial structural diversity, and their fossil record documents the evolutionary assembly of the avian body plan. Phylogeny-based research has allowed new insights into dinosaur macroevolution, including the adaptive landscape of their body size evolution, patterns of species diversification, and the origins of birds and bird-like traits. Nevertheless, much remains unknown due to incompleteness of the fossil record at both local and global scales. This presents major challenges at the frontier of paleobiological research regarding tests of macroecological hypotheses and the effects of dinosaur biology, ecology, and life history on their macroevolution.

Retracted: Heterozygosity, sexual ornament and body size in the crested newt

2013 ◽  
Vol 291 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Herdegen ◽  
K. Nadachowska-Brzyska ◽  
A. Konowalik ◽  
W. Babik ◽  
J. Radwan
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Crested Newt ◽  
Sexual Ornament

Reproductive biology of the false coral snake Oxyrhopus guibei (Colubridae) from southeastern Brazil

2002 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Otavio Marques ◽  
Lígia Pizzatto
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Southeastern Brazil ◽  
Coral Snake ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Reproductive Cycles ◽  
Number Of Individuals

AbstractThe reproductive biology of the false coral snake, Oxyrhopus guibei, was studied through dissection of 496 specimens, combined with observations on captive individuals. Males mature with smaller body size than females, females attain much larger body size, and male-male combat is not expected. Clutch size ranged from 3 to 20, and was correlated with female length. Reproductive cycles in both males and females seem to be continuous, with vitellogenesis and spermatogenesis occurring throughout the year. Reproductive activity in both sexes decreased at the end of the rainy season possibly due to previous intense reproductive activity in more favorable climatic conditions. The smaller number of individuals collected at the end of the rainy season apparently occurs due to the decrease of reproductive activity of this snake.

scholarly journals Reproductive biology of the Amazon Lava Lizard (Tropidurus torquatus) from the Wet Chaco of Corrientes (Argentina): congeneric comparisons of ecotypic and interspecific variations

2014 ◽  
Vol 92 (7) ◽  
pp. 643-655 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Ortiz ◽  
J.M. Boretto ◽  
C. Piantoni ◽  
B.B. Álvarez ◽  
N.R. Ibargüengoytía
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Fat Body ◽  
Tail Length ◽  
Reproductive Activity ◽  
Hatching Time ◽  
Fat Bodies ◽  
Reproductive Cycles ◽  
Lava Lizard ◽  
Clutch Mass

Herein we describe the reproductive biology of a population of the Amazon Lava Lizard (Tropidurus torquatus (Wied-Neuwied, 1820)) from Corrientes, northeastern Argentina (Wet Chaco). We describe the male and female reproductive cycles, minimum body size for adults, reproductive output, mean relative clutch mass, fat body cycles, and sexual dimorphism. Our results were compared with data on the reproductive biology of Brazilian populations of T. torquatus and congeneric species. In Corrientes, males of T. torquatus exhibited a continuous reproductive cycle, but with annual variation of testicular parameters associated with spermatogenic activity. In contrast, females were reproductive only from winter to summer (July–February), laying at least two clutches each of six eggs, on average, per reproductive season. The relative clutch mass and egg size values in Corrientes were the highest reported for the species. The annual cycle of energy storage (as fat bodies) was inversely correlated with reproductive activity in both sexes. Males differed from females in snout–vent length, head size, interlimb length, and tail length. We observed interpopulational differences in relative clutch mass, egg volume and mass, incubation period and hatching time, and the minimum body size for sexual maturity probably as a result of phenotypic plasticity or adaptation to local environmental conditions and likely both.

scholarly journals Reproductive biology of Thamnodynastes hypoconia (Serpentes: Dipsadidae) in Brazilian subtemperate wetlands

2016 ◽  
Vol 88 (3 suppl) ◽  
pp. 1699-1709 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARLUCI M. REBELATO ◽  
GLÁUCIA M.F. PONTES ◽  
ALEXANDRO M. TOZETTI
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Reproductive Cycle ◽  
Related Species ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Late Summer ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Early Fall ◽  
Macroscopic Analysis

ABSTRACT This study aimed to describe the reproductive biology of populations of Thamnodynastes hypoconia in subtemperate wetlands based on macroscopic analyses of their gonads. We analyzed 101 specimens from the southernmost regions of Brazil. The males had a greater snout-vent length, but the females reached sexual maturity with a greater body size. The reproductive cycle of the females was seasonal, with secondary vitellogenesis occurring between the winter and spring (May-October). Based on macroscopic analysis of gonads, data suggests that males have a continuous reproductive cycle. Parturition occurs between the late summer and early fall (January-April). The clutch size ranged between 4 and 16 embryos and showed no relationship with the female's body size. The recorded reproductive frequency of T. hypoconia is low (38 %) compared to other phylogenetically related species. Conversely, the studied populations appear to have a high reproductive success because it is an abundant species in the study site.

Reproductive biology of a cave-associated population of the frog Rana palustris

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (2) ◽  
pp. 329-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
William J. Resetarits Jr. ◽  
Robert D. Aldridge
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Minimum Size ◽  
Detectable Effect ◽  
Size At Maturity ◽  
Fat Bodies ◽  
Autumn And Winter ◽  
Cave Use ◽  
Sexually Mature

Aspects of the reproductive biology of a trogloxene population of the pickerel frog, Rana palustris (Anura: Ranidae), were studied at a cave on the edge of the Ozark plateau in Missouri. Sexual dimorphism in body size was marked; there was almost no overlap in adult body size ranges, and the ratio of mean adult female snout–vent length (SVL) to adult male SVL was 1.26. All males with SVL of >45 mm were sexually mature. Males showed a clear cycle of spermatogenesis, with a peak in midsummer and a decline in spermatogenic activity through autumn and winter. Minimum size at maturity for females was 59 mm SVL. Females completed vitellogenesis during the summer, before their arrival at the study site. Of 28 females above the minimum size at maturity, 27 contained egg clutches. Clutch size, clutch mass, and egg size (mass) show significant positive correlation with SVL. Mean (±SD) clutch size was 1759 ± 548. Fat bodies were present in both males and females in autumn, but were totally depleted before the animals emerged from hibernation. Trogloxene R. palustris do not diverge significantly from patterns of reproductive biology typical of other temperate zone Rana. Current or past patterns of cave use have had no detectable effect on reproductive characteristics of trogloxene R. palustris.

scholarly journals Reproductive characteristics of characid fish species (Teleostei, Characiformes) and their relationship with body size and phylogeny

2010 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 469-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marco A. Azevedo
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Fish Species ◽  
High Growth ◽  
Reproductive Period ◽  
Reproductive Pattern ◽  
High Fecundity ◽  
Reproductive Characteristics ◽  
Active Population ◽  
Consequent Reduction

In this study, I investigated the reproductive biology of fish species from the family Characidae of the order Characiformes. I also investigated the relationship between reproductive biology and body weight and interpreted this relationship in a phylogenetic context. The results of the present study contribute to the understanding of the evolution of the reproductive strategies present in the species of this family. Most larger characid species and other characiforms exhibit a reproductive pattern that is generally characterized by a short seasonal reproductive period that lasts one to three months, between September and April. This is accompanied by total spawning, an extremely high fecundity, and, in many species, a reproductive migration. Many species with lower fecundity exhibit some form of parental care. Although reduction in body size may represent an adaptive advantage, it may also require evolutionary responses to new biological problems that arise. In terms of reproduction, smaller species have a tendency to reduce the number of oocytes that they produce. Many small characids have a reproductive pattern similar to that of larger characiforms. On the other hand they may also exhibit a range of modifications that possibly relate to the decrease in body size and the consequent reduction in fecundity. Examples of changes in the general reproductive pattern include the following: reduction in the size of mature oocytes; increase in fecundity; production of several batches of oocytes; an extended reproductive period or even continuous reproduction that allows individuals to reproduce more than once a year; high growth rates; rapid recruitment of juveniles; presence of more than one reproductive cohort that increases the sexually active population; and multiple independent development of insemination as a reproductive strategy. These changes are possibly associated with adaptive pressures that are related to the reduction in body size. In addition, such reproductive characteristics or novelties may reflect the phylogenetic history of a given species.

Sexual size dimorphism, diet, and reproductive biology of the Afro-Asian Sand Snake, Psammophis schokari (Psammophiidae)

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Cottone ◽  
Aaron Bauer
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Sexual Size Dimorphism ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Southwest Asia ◽  
Size Dimorphism ◽  
Males And Females

AbstractWe measured and dissected 226 museum specimens of Psammophis schokari (Schokari Sand Snake), a widespread, common “whipsnake” occurring in North Africa and southwest Asia. Three aspects of its ecology were investigated: sexual size dimorphism (SSD), diet, and reproductive biology. There was no significant SSD in mean body size or shape for the traits measured. The species is an opportunistic feeder, but preys predominately on lizards. Males and females exhibit their highest levels of sexual activity in synchrony and exhibit prenuptial spermiogenesis and a Type 1 vitellogenic cycle, respectively. Mating occurs at the end of the rainy season and clutch sizes are small. These findings from a Northern Hemisphere temperate sand snake are consistent with previous results for both tropical and south temperate Psammophis. These traits thus appear to be highly conserved within the genus and also exhibit convergence with respect to unrelated colubroid “whipsnakes”.

Captive Breeding of Two Colubrid Species — Zamenis situla and Elaphe sauromates (Serpentes: Colubridae) and Their Reproductive Biology in the Crimea

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 354-366
Author(s):  
Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Polyakova ◽  
Ilya Sergeevich Korshunov ◽  
Svetlana Petrovna Popovskaya ◽  
Oleg Vitaljevich Kukushkin
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
Reproductive Biology ◽  
Rare Species ◽  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Effective Protection ◽  
Regional Features ◽  
The Crimea ◽  
Depth Study ◽  
Different Parts

Presented data on the reproductive biology of two poorly studied species of the colubrid snakes of the Crimean fauna (Leopard snake, Zamenis situla; Blotched ratsnake, Elaphe sauromates) are based on the experience of their captive breeding and observations in nature. Reproductive characteristics of the both species in different parts of their ranges are compared. Some regional features of the Crimean Z. situla population in relation to fecundity of females and their body size upon sexual maturity reaching are revealed. An importance of alive collections of reptiles for in-depth study of the rare species biology and their effective protection is discussed.

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