Reproductive ecology of the parthenogenetic whiptail lizard Cnemidophorus nativo in a Brazilian restinga habitat

We studied the reproductive cycle of the teiid lizard, Cnemidophorus nativo, at the restinga of Guaratiba, in Prado municipality, Bahia State, northeastern Brazil. The population was all female. For each female, we recorded total number of follicles, number of vitellogenic follicles in each ovary, size and color of the largest follicle, presence and size of corpora lutea, and number and size of oviductal eggs. The smallest reproductive female measured 48.8 mm (SVL). Clutch size varied 2 from one to four eggs (mean = 2.2 +/- 1.0; N = 37) and was significantly affected by female size (F-1,F-35 = 8.437; R-2 = 0.194; P = 0.006). Fifty percent or more of sexually mature females were reproductive each month, containing either oviductal eggs or vitellogenic ovarian follicles and juveniles (30-48.3 mm SVL) occurred in nearly all months studied, indicating an extended period of reproduction by the species. The number of reproductive females was not significantly related to monthly rainfall or to temperature in the area. We conclude that the population of C. nativo at Guaratiba is unisexual, oviparous and that reproduction occurs throughout the year, independent of habitat seasonality.