TY - JOUR
T1 - Sperm parameters in Pristidactylus achalensis (Squamata: Leiosauridae), a lizard endemic to the highest mountain areas in central Argentina
AU - Blengini, Cecilia Soledad
AU - Juri, Guadalupe López
AU - Chiaraviglio, Margarita
AU - Uñates, Diego Rafael
AU - Naretto, Sergio
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2020 by the American Society of Ichthyologists and Herpetologists
PY - 2020/9/1
Y1 - 2020/9/1
N2 - Reproductive physiology is influenced by environmental pressures, particularly in ectothermic species living in harsh climatic conditions. Studying the period of time in which males exhibit semen availability and their sperm traits constitutes a powerful tool to evaluate the fertility potential of males because sperm size and sperm velocity have been proposed as determinants in fertilization success. Pristidactylus achalensis is a lizard endemic to the highest mountain areas in Central Argentina and shows a pattern of seasonal activity. Here, we study the period of time when males possess sperm during the active season and characterize the spermatozoa based on sperm morphometric and dynamic traits among males and within ejaculate. Males possess sperm in their ejaculates only during the spring months of the active season, suggesting that reproductive activity is restricted to this time. Spermatozoa of Pristidactylus achalensis show intra-specific variation in sperm traits among males and within ejaculate, suggesting different reproductive potential among males. Since this species only occupies the highest areas of the mountains and is categorized as vulnerable, basic information about reproduction and sperm physiology could be useful for potential population conservation strategies.
AB - Reproductive physiology is influenced by environmental pressures, particularly in ectothermic species living in harsh climatic conditions. Studying the period of time in which males exhibit semen availability and their sperm traits constitutes a powerful tool to evaluate the fertility potential of males because sperm size and sperm velocity have been proposed as determinants in fertilization success. Pristidactylus achalensis is a lizard endemic to the highest mountain areas in Central Argentina and shows a pattern of seasonal activity. Here, we study the period of time when males possess sperm during the active season and characterize the spermatozoa based on sperm morphometric and dynamic traits among males and within ejaculate. Males possess sperm in their ejaculates only during the spring months of the active season, suggesting that reproductive activity is restricted to this time. Spermatozoa of Pristidactylus achalensis show intra-specific variation in sperm traits among males and within ejaculate, suggesting different reproductive potential among males. Since this species only occupies the highest areas of the mountains and is categorized as vulnerable, basic information about reproduction and sperm physiology could be useful for potential population conservation strategies.
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85096923833
UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85096923833#tab=citedBy
U2 - 10.1643/CH-19-310
DO - 10.1643/CH-19-310
M3 - Article
SN - 0045-8511
VL - 108
SP - 538
EP - 544
JO - Copeia
JF - Copeia
IS - 3
ER -