Oviductal sperm storage in the ground skink Scincella laterale holbrook (Reptilia: Scincidae)

Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part A, Comparative Experimental Biology
David M Sever, William A Hopkins

Abstract

The reproductive tracts of female ground skinks, Scincella laterale, collected at various times throughout their reproductive cycle were examined by light and transmission electron microscopy. Examination of the tracts revealed that sperm are retained in the posterior vagina after mating but prior to the ovulation of oocytes. The sperm are not sequestered in specialized glands but occur in scattered clusters in the lumen or among the deep, narrow rugae. The simple columnar lining of the vagina consists mostly of ciliated cells interspersed with occasional secretory cells. After ovulation, as indicated by the presence of eggs in the uterus, sperm are not found in the vagina. No sperm or sperm storage tubules occur in the infundibulum, the characteristic location for sperm storage in scleroglossid squamates that have been studied. Our results are a further indication that too few species have been examined to construct a rigorous phylogenetic hypothesis about the occurrence of sperm storage tubules in lizards.

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Citations

Jun 8, 2012·Frontiers in Zoology·Susanne Kuehnel, Alexander Kupfer
Apr 2, 2011·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Katiane de Oliveira Pinto Coelho NogueiraClóvis Andrade Neves
Jan 31, 2008·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Xiangkun HanQiusheng Chen
Aug 27, 2005·Journal of Morphology·David M Sever, William A Hopkins
Aug 14, 2015·The Anatomical Record : Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology·Goutham ShankarGopal Kedihithlu Marathe
Mar 2, 2013·Microscopy Research and Technique·Sthefanie FernandezAlan Peres Ferraz De Melo

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