Maturity and Other Reproductive Traits of the Kanahebi Lizard Takydromus tachydromoides (Sauria, Lacertidae) in Mito

Abstract

SUMMARY: Reproduction in females of the kanahebi lizard, Takydromus tachydromoides , was studied in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture. Yearling females larger than 40mm SVL and not reproductive early in the reproductive season (April-May) might be judged to be mature because their largest unyolked follicles were the same size as those of reproductive females (1.3mm or larger). Most yearlings bred once or twice late in the reproductive season (June-July), and they had a mean clutch size of 3.0. Older females reproduced from April through July, and they had a mean clutch size of 4.2 for the first clutch and of 4 .0 for the second and third. In this population the mean dry weight of oviducal eggs was 84mg , and the mean ratio of clutch weight to body weight was 0 .729.