Reproduction in the Island Night Lizard, Xantusia riversiana
Goldberg SR and Bezy RL. 1974. Reproduction in the Island Night Lizard, Xantusia riversiana. Herpetologica. 30(4):350-360
Monthly collections of the viviparous lizard Xantusia riversiana were made on San Clemente Island, California, USA. Populations on the nearby San Nicolas and Santa Barbara Islands were sampled during July 1972. ♂ ♂ undergo spermiogenesis during March-May. Roughly half of adult ♀ ♀ are reproductively active in a given year. Yolk deposition begins October-November, accelerates during February with ovulation occurring in late May to early June. Young are born during September after a gestation period of about 14 weeks. Mean number of embryos per gravid ♀ on San Clemente Island was 3.76. Reproductive potential approximates that of Xantusia vigilis.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Goldberg, Stephen; Bezy, Robert
- Units
- CHIS
- Keywords
- Animal Studies, Island Night Lizard (Xantusia riversiana), Reproduction