Difference between revisions of "Chelonian Reproduction - Anatomy & Physiology"

From WikiVet English
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(11 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 +
<big><center>[[Reproductive System|'''BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM''']]</center></big>
 +
 +
<big><center>[[Reproductive_System#Exotics|'''BACK TO EXOTICS''']]</center></big>
 +
 +
<big><center>[[Exotics_-_Reptile_Reproductive_Anatomy_and_Physiology_-_Anatomy_%26_Physiology|'''BACK TO REPTILE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY''']]</center></big>
 +
 +
 +
 +
 
== Male ==
 
== Male ==
 
[[Image:Reproductive Tract Male Chelonian.jpg|thumb|right|150px|<p>Anatomy of the Male Chelonian</p><sup> © L.Wilkie 2008</sup>]]
 
  
 
=== Testes ===
 
=== Testes ===
Line 10: Line 17:
  
 
=== Phallus ===
 
=== Phallus ===
 
* Ventral proctodeum is modified and thickened into a single phallus.
 
* Two pairs of fibrous tissue separated by a central trough.
 
* Cannot be inverted (unlike lizards and snakes).
 
* Highly vascular.
 
* When inserted into the female cloaca it becomes engorged.
 
* Semen is conveyed through the central sulcus.
 
* A retractor muscle returns the phallus back into the cloaca.
 
  
 
== Female ==
 
== Female ==
 
=== Ovary ===
 
 
* Paired ovaries lie symmetrically, cranial to the kidneys.
 
* Irregular, sac-like.
 
* Different sized ova that become prominent with mature follicles.
 
 
=== Sperm Storage in the Female Tract ===
 
 
* Females in some species can retain sperm in their uterus.
 
* Can successfully fertilize two or more clutches, often several years after copulation.
 
 
=== The Egg ===
 
 
All chelonians are oviparous.
 
 
==== Temperate Species ====
 
 
* Lay eggs with soft, flexible, leathery shells.
 
* Can absorb and loose moisture.
 
* Develop more rapidly.
 
** Incubation ~2 months.
 
 
==== Tropical Species and Land Tortoises ====
 
 
* Lay eggs with a hard, brittle shell.
 
* Prevents eater loss.
 
* Develop less rapidly.
 
** Incubation ~8-9 months.
 
 
 
* Egg hatching depends on climate conditions such as spring warmth and seasonal rains.
 
  
 
== Copulation ==
 
== Copulation ==
 
* Courtship and mating is very vocal.
 
** Crying, grunting and barking
 
* Male mounts from the rear.
 
* Internal fertilization
 
 
 
[[Category:Exotic Reproduction]]
 
[[Category:Bullet Points]]
 

Revision as of 07:40, 25 July 2008

BACK TO REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
BACK TO EXOTICS
BACK TO REPTILE REPRODUCTIVE ANATOMY & PHYSIOLOGY



Male

Testes

  • Long, yellow and oval in shape.
  • Attached to the cranioventral pole of the kidneys.
  • Ductus deferens runs alongside ureters to the cloaca.

Phallus

Female

Copulation