Reproductive cycle of male wall lizard, <em>Podarcis vaucheri</em> (Reptilia: Sauria: Lacertidae), in Djurdjura, Northern Algeria

Abstract

The reproductive cycle of male wall lizard Podarcis vaucheri (Boulenger, 1905) living in Djurdjura Mountain, was analyzed from April until October 2014. Its seasonal mixed-type cycle was characterized by three phases: sexual activity, quiescence and recrudescence. After the emergence of lizards from hibernation, an intense sexual activity was observed in spring (April, May, and June), at which the testicular weight and seminiferous tubules diameter reached their maximal values. At this period, spermiogenesis was also maximal and the spermiation allowed the release of a large quantity of spermatozoa in both the seminiferous tubules and epididymis lumen. In July, a short sexual resting period followed, during which the testes mass and seminiferous tubules diameter decreased. Spermatogonia and some primary spermatocytes were observed against the wall of seminiferous tubules. The recrudescence period (August, September and October) was characterized by a progressive increase of the testis weight and seminiferous tubules diameter. Spermatocytogenesis began in August, and spermiogenesis occurred in September and October, before the diapause period. However, the presence of spermatozoids was not signaled in the epididymis lumen. Field observations and microscopic evidence of testis showed that both sexes reproduced synchronously during spring and early summer