The Herpetological Journal

pp.230-234

Authors: D. C. Deeming

Abstract: The aim of this study was to describe and compare shell structure of parchment-shelled and rigid-shelled eggs of gekkonid lizards. Scanning electron microscopy was used to describe eggshells of two,species of gecko of the Eublepharinae and four species of Gekkoninae. Eggshell from a lacertid lizard was also described . The crystalline nature of calcium carbonate deposits on eggshells was studied; an aragonitic chelonian eggshell was used as a control. Eublepharine eggshells consist mainly of a fibrous membrane with an external layer of calcite. They resembled lacertid and other lizard shells described previously. Gekkonine eggshells have thin, fibrous shell membranes overlain by a relatively thick layer of calcite and resemble other hard-shelled gecko eggs reported elsewhere. A layer of fibres in a matrix coats the external surface of the calcite layer of gekkonine shells. Shell structure is considered important in determining water loss from gecko eggs, nest local ion and embryonic development. A more detailed examination of the reproductive biology of gekkonid eggs could help in assessing the role of the shell in reptilian development.