Validation of non-invasive monitoring of the adrenocortical and reproductive endocrine activities utilizing feces in Tropidurus spinulosus

BUSSO, JUAN MANUEL; CHIARAVIGLIO, MARGARITA; NARETTO, SERGIO; LOPEZ JURI, GUADALUPE; CABAÑA, IMANOL; EGUIZABAL, GABINA; MASTROMONACO, GABRIELA

Cordoba

Encuentro; Cooperacion internacional; 2015

A few reptile studies have used noninvasive fecal hormone metabolitemonitoring: corticosteroid metabolite analysis in box turtles (Rittenhouse et al., 2005) and gonadal steroid metabolite analysis in tortoises and lizards (Atkins et al., 2002; Casares, 1995). Tropidurus spinulosus is a medium sized lizard, inhabiting all of north central Argentina and Brazil. Despite its wide distribution, the conservation status of this species has recently been upgraded to vulnerable (Abdala et al., 2012).Tropidurusspinulosus show variability in their habitats and in their reproductive parameters along their distribution (Cruz et al., 1998). These lizards are seasonal breeders that reproduce from September to December (Lopez Juri, unpublished data). Mature males exhibit larger dorsal spines and are more colored than females (Cruz et al. 1998).