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Abstract
The viviparous New World Mabuya (Reptilia, Scincidae) are characterized by a peculiar suite of reproductive traits associated with an extreme degree of matrotrophy and a specialized placenta. We gathered information on female reproductive traits of South American Mabuya based on a compilation of literature data plus original information on two species (Mabuya dorsivittata and Mabuya macrorhyncha). Considering brood size, we identified one “large-brooded” group (brood sizes up to eight to ten) and one “small-brooded” group (brood sizes up to four to six). Brood size tended to be positively correlated with female body size among species, although the correlation is not as strong as it is within species. There were some general trends for the reproductive ecology of New World Mabuya, such as early sexual maturation, brood sizes of usually four to six young, and parturition occurring around the dry–wet season transition.
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Acknowledgements
This study was partially supported by research grants from the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro – FAPERJ (process E-26/170.385/97 – APQ1) and by fellowships from the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico – CNPq to C.F.D.R. (processes 307653/2003-0 and 477981/2003-8) and to D.V. (process 143607/98-7). The Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e Recursos Naturais Renováveis (IBAMA) gave permits for the authors to collect the lizards. We also thank G.R. Colli and J.C. Moura-Leite for the loan of specimens of the CHUNB collection and the MHNCI collection, respectively, and M.T. Rodrigues and P.E. Vanzolini for granting the first author access to specimens at the MZUSP collection.
