2020/09/22 by Cecilia S. Blengini, Guadalupe López Juri, Margarita Chiaraviglio +2 · 2 citations
Agricultural and Biological Sciences · Environmental Science · #Amphibian and Reptile Biology #Animal Behavior and Reproduction #Plant and animal studies
paper · pdf · doi:10.1643/ch-19-310
openalex publication_date 2020/09/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/02
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.