Sexual Size Dimorphism, Ovipositioning, and Hatching in Leiocephalus macropus asbolomus (Squamata: Leiocephalidae) in Alexander von Humboldt National Park in Eastern Cuba

Authors

  • Yasel U. Alfonso Florida Museum of Natural History, Division of Herpetology
  • Gabriel Fajardo Centro de Aplicaciones Tecnológicas para el Desarrollo Sostenible (CATEDES/CITMA) I
  • Eric Suarez Florida Museum of Natural History, Division of Herpetology, University of Florida
  • Kenneth L. Krysko Florida Museum of Natural History, Division of Herpetology, University of Florida

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17161/randa.v19i4.13915

Keywords:

Leiocephalidae, Sexual size dimorphism, Oviposition, Hatchling, Eastern Cuba

Abstract

The endemic Antillean family Leiocephalidae includes 28 currently recognized extant species in the genus Leiocephalus. These are distributed across Hispaniola, Cuba, and various islands and cays in the Bahamas. Sexual size dimorphism (SSD)  is a fundamental and widespread biological phenomenon generally attributed to sexual differences  in relationships between body size, survival, fecunditty, and mating success. Six species with 40 subspecies are known from Cuba. Few data are available regarding SSD and reproduction. Herein we report new life-history data and the sexual size dimorphism index (SSDI) in Leiocephalus macropus asbolomus. Fieldwork was performed  during mid-August 2009 iin La Melba (Alexander von Humboldt National Park), HolguinProvince, Cuba. All males were larger in size then females and the SSDI (1.44) is the highest reported ffor any species of Leiocephalus. Egg measurments averaged 18.2 x 12.7 mml mean clutch size was 3. Eggs took 61-72 days to hatch; mean incubation time was 66.5 days, and mean hatchling SVL was 30.1 mm.

 

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Published

2012-12-01

How to Cite

Alfonso, Y. U., Fajardo, G., Suarez, E., & Krysko, K. L. (2012). Sexual Size Dimorphism, Ovipositioning, and Hatching in Leiocephalus macropus asbolomus (Squamata: Leiocephalidae) in Alexander von Humboldt National Park in Eastern Cuba. Reptiles & Amphibians, 19(4), 230-236. https://doi.org/10.17161/randa.v19i4.13915