The Herpetological Journal

pp. 219-225
Authors: de Oliveira, Roberto Baptista; Pontes, Gláucia Maria Funk; Maciel, Ana Paula; Gomes, Leandro Ribeiro & Di-Bernardo, Marcos

Abstract: Information on sexual maturity, reproductive cycle, fecundity and sexual dimorphism of Xenodon dorbignyi was obtained from 537 individuals captured in a 333 ha sand dune area on the north coast of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and from dissection and analysis of gonads of 98 specimens from the same region deposited in scientific collections. Females and males reach sexual maturity at about 260 mm and 220 mm snout–vent length (SVL), respectively. Males reach sexual maturity in their first year, whereas some females mature in their second year. Both sexes reach similar SVL; males have a relatively longer tail, and mature females have a heavier body. Reproduction is seasonal, with vitellogenesis occurring from August to January, mating from August to December, oviposition from November to February, and hatching from January to April. Clutch size varied from three to 10 eggs and was correlated with maternal SVL. The ratio between clutch mass and female total mass varied between 0.19 and 0.42 (>0.30 in 80% of observations).

Keywords: NATURAL HISTORY, SERPENTES, DIPSADIDAE, SEXUAL DIMORPHISM, SOUTHERN BRAZIL, REPRODUCTIVE CYCLE