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Reproductive biology of the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes gasperettii in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia
Joint Authors
Source
Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences
Issue
Vol. 22, Issue 3 (30 Sep. 2015), pp.351-357, 7 p.
Publisher
Publication Date
2015-09-30
Country of Publication
Saudi Arabia
No. of Pages
7
Main Subjects
Topics
Abstract EN
The reproductive biology of the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes gasperettii, in Riyadh region of Saudi Arabia was investigated over a period of one year.
Study of reproductive cycle of male and female C.
c.
gasperettii revealed that the breeding season is relatively short (April and May).
Thereafter females laid eggs by mid of July and hatching probably had taken place by the end of September.
No activity was observed during winter, this may indicate just a single clutch per year.
Relative testis weight to body weight was drastically increased ( X = 0.88 %) during the peak of reproductive activity (May) where maximal expansion of seminiferous tubules was also attained during April and May ( X = 209 µm and 191 µm, respectively).
Likewise, the ovarian activity was the highest during May where ovarian parameters were greater in terms of relative ovarian weight to body weight and ova diameter being 0.46 % and 2.29 mm, respectively.
Fat body weight was increased drastically just before the peak of reproductive activity then started to decline during June.
It could be concluded that the harsh desert conditions and similar environments certainly affect reproductive activity of Saudi Arabian reptiles including snakes.
American Psychological Association (APA)
al-Sadun, M. K.& Qandil, S. A.. 2015. Reproductive biology of the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes gasperettii in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences،Vol. 22, no. 3, pp.351-357.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-567844
Modern Language Association (MLA)
al-Sadun, M. K.& Qandil, S. A.. Reproductive biology of the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes gasperettii in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences Vol. 22, no. 3 (2015), pp.351-357.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-567844
American Medical Association (AMA)
al-Sadun, M. K.& Qandil, S. A.. Reproductive biology of the horned viper, Cerastes cerastes gasperettii in the Central Region of Saudi Arabia. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences. 2015. Vol. 22, no. 3, pp.351-357.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-567844
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references : p. 356-357
Record ID
BIM-567844