REPRODUCTION IN THE MOJAVE RATTLESNAKE, CROTALUS SCUTUALTUS (SERPENTES: VIPERIDAE)

摘要

Reproductive tissue was examined from 145 museum specimens of Crotalus scutulatus from Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. Males follow a seasonal testicu- lar cycle with sperm produced June-September; regressed testes were present March-May and October. Recrudescence occurred March-July. Timing of this cycle is similar to that of Several other North American rattlesnakes. Sperm was present in the vasa deferentia March- October suggesting C. scutulatus has potential for breeding throughout this period. Females Appear to have a biennial reproductive cycle with yolk deposition completed over two activity Seasons. Mean litter size for 35 C. scutulatus was 8.2?2.36 SD, range 5-13 young. Year- Ly percentages of gravid females appear to be related to food abundance.