Importance of reproductive biology of a harvest lizard, Tupinambis merianae, for the management the commercial harvesting

NARETTO, S; CARDOZO, G; BLENGINI, C.; CHIARAVIGLIO, M

WILDLIFE RESEARCH

CSIRO PUBLISHING

Lugar: Collingwood; Año: 2016 vol. 42

1035-3712

Context. The skins of large reptiles possess a commercial value because they can be used for luxury leather items. Tupinambis lizards from southern South America have been exploited historically. Argentina implemented management plans for Tupinambis lizards, establishing a minimum capture size based on wide dried skins. This information of skins harvest should be associated with the biological attributes of species, as reproductive traits. The exploitation of resources requires information of the species to help to frame management plans.Aim. In this study, we aim to determine reproductive parameters of Tupinambis merianae and evaluate which class size of individuals are susceptible to commercial trade in the center of Argentina, in order to improve the management tools.Methods. We determined the relationship between wide dried skin and body size. We identified size at sexual maturity in males and females. Moreover, we determined status of reproductive individuals by body size and characterized gonadal development and seasonal reproductive events. Finally, we evaluated the relationship between female body size and clutch size.Key results. Reproduction of T. merianae from the center of Argentina is markedly seasonal, with both sexes concentrating their reproductive activities between October and December. Size at sexual maturity was smaller in males than females, and the percentage of the reproductive females was lower than males. In both sexes, the frequency of reproductive individuals was low in smaller lizards; and bigger females had bigger clutch size. The width of dried skin was positively related with body size.Conclusions. Local and species-specific information is very important for management strategies. Size at sexual maturity, and reproductive period, should be considered to minimize the impact of harvesting.