Sexual dimorphism and female reproductive cycle in the scincid lizard Trachylepis vittata (Olivier, 1804) in Lebanon (Reptilia: Scincidae)

Abstract

Sexual dimorphism and the female reproductive cycle were studied in a population of the viviparous lizard Trachylepis vittata at 2000 m a.s.l. on Mount Sannine, Lebanon. Females have larger body sizes than males and males have relatively larger heads than females. Females reach maturity at 56 mm snout-vent length. They spend at least six months in hibernation, from October to March. Adult females emerge from hibernation in April. Fertilization occurs mid-May and gestation lasts for 8-10 weeks. All females collected on the same date had embryos at the same embryonic developmental stage. Females produced 1-4 embryos. There is a significant positive relationship between female body size and number of embryos. Parturition lasts for two weeks and new-borns achieve adult size within about ten months.

Keywords:

• Vivipary
• Scincidae
• Mabuya
• vitellogenesis
• oviductal eggs