INALI   02622
INSTITUTO NACIONAL DE LIMNOLOGIA
Unidad Ejecutora - UE
artículos
Título:
Biología reproductiva de Bothrops alternatus en un área templada de América del Sur: ciclo reproductivo masculino
Autor/es:
BELLINI, GISELA P.; GIRAUDO, ALEJANDRO R.; ALBERTO, DIANA; ARZAMENDIA, VANESA
Revista:
CUADERNOS DE HERPETOLOGíA
Editorial:
ASOCIACIÓN HERPETOLÓGICA ARGENTINA
Referencias:
Lugar: San Miguel de Tucumán; Año: 2020 vol. 34 p. 1 - 9
ISSN:
0326-551X
Resumen:
The pitviper Bothrops alternatus is one of the most widely distributed and abundant venomous snake species in the South America template area. However, knowledge about their reproductive biology is mostly known for data from Brazilian populations, finding few data for the Argentine populations. The life history of snakes is influenced by ecological factors such asregional variations in climatic seasons, generating differences in reproductive biology between populations in different regions. We present the male reproductive cycle of B. alternatus at its southern distribution limit, based on morpho-anatomical and histological data. The testicular volume varied throughout the seasons, coinciding its increase and decrease with the increaseand decrease in temperature. However, the morpho-anatomical measures did not show all the different stages through which the B. alternatus testicle passes. In spring the testicles were in recrudescence and in summer began the spermiogenesis that extended until the beginning of autumn (April). Testicular regression began in May (autumn) and in winter the seminiferous epithelium of the testicles retracts completely, being in total regression towards July and until the beginning of September (winter). Males of B. alternatus were reproductively active during spring / summer and reproductively inactive during autumn / winter, determining a seasonal reproductive cycle. However, sperm were found in the deferens ducts throughout all the year.With this study, we provide evidence to support the importance of the microscopic approach for studies of reproductive cycles. Finally, we discuss the synchronization of the male reproductive cycle with the female reproductive cycle in the southernmost population of B. alternatus.