抄録
Long bone histology and skeletochronology of a tropical Indian agamid lizard, Sitana ponticeriana, was studied. Long bone was histologically characterized by the presence of enlarged globular osteocytes with centrally placed nuclei that were lightly stained in juveniles. The size of the cells was reduced with growth, and osteocytes finally became elliptical with eccentric nuclei in older animals. No lines of arrested growth (LAGs) were seen in juveniles, subadults, and 40% of adults, whereas 60% of adults had 1-6 LAGs. These results indicate that the species matures within a year of hatching in the first test case and the minimal longevity in nature is six years.
