Notes on Reproduction of Cryptoblepharus poecilopleurus (Squamata: Scincidae) from the Northern Mariana Islands, Western Pacific

Abstract

The reproductive cycle of the skink, Cryptoblepharus poecilopleurus from the Northern Mariana Islands, western Pacific was studied by a histological analysis of museum specimens. Spermiogenesis occurred in all months examined and is likely continuous in C. poecilopleurus. Males and females mature at 37 mm SVL. Mean clutch size for 11 C. poecilopleurus females was 1.1±0.30 SD, range=1–2. The presence of reproductively active females in all months sampled except for August (n=1) suggests C. poecilopleurus females reproduce year round.