Reproductive pattern of the southern bunchgrass lizard (Sceloporus aeneus) from Cuautepec de Hinojosa, Hidalgo, Mexico

Abstract

Squamata is one of the groups of sauropsids with the greatest diversity in life histories. The timing and expression of events related to reproductive phenology are considered among the most important components of squamate life histories. Here we studied the male and female reproductive patterns, clutch size, and clutch frequency of the oviparous lizard Sceloporus aeneus from a population in the southeast of Hidalgo State, Mexico, from April 2010 to March 2011. The gonadal analysis showed that the minimum snout-vent length at sexual maturity in males and females was 46 mm. Both sexes exhibit seasonal reproductive patterns; males present maximum gonadal activity in winter-spring (February–May), and females are vitellogenic in spring-summer (May–July). Clutch size averaged 7 eggs (range 5–9) and did not show a relationship with female body size. Females produce at least two clutches per breeding season. The reproductive patterns described in this study were similar to those observed in other populations of S. aeneus, although some events in the reproductive phenology of both sexes appear to be related to local environmental factors.