Reptile Reproduction Flashcards
1
Q
Most reptile reproduce ____
A
Sexually
- lay eggs or give birth to live young
- elaborate courtship rituals
2
Q
Reptiles do not have _______
A
External genitalia
- all have internal fertilization
3
Q
Male reproductive organs
A
2 testicles with either a penis or hemipenes
- not connected to urinary tract
- function for reproduction only
- typical penis in turtles and crocs
4
Q
Hemepene
A
Paired invagination of cloaca that are everted fro reproduction
- often have spines or hooks for anchoring within the female
- forked
5
Q
Eggs
A
Eggs are self sufficient
- hard or leathery shell to allow for oxygen exchange
- number/size varies greatly between species
- deposited in the nest and left unattended
6
Q
Reptiles are ______ upon hatching
A
Fully developed
- period of greatest mortality following hatching
7
Q
Viviparity
A
Live bearing
- snakes, lizards, amphisbaenids
8
Q
Oviparity
A
Egg laying
- all turtles and crocodiles
- some snakes
9
Q
Sex determination
A
Genetic
- temperature dependent in most turtles, all crocs, tuatara, some squamates
- temp where 1:1 ratio exists
- high temp = more females
10
Q
Mechanism of TSD
A
Link between temperature control of production of sex steroids in developing embryo
- may be preferential survival of certain sex at varying temps
- allows female to choose sex by location of nesting
11
Q
Parental care of reptiles
A
All crocs care for their young for predator control by guarding the nest and hachlings
- some squamates attend the eggs
- not seen in turtles
12
Q
Parthenogenesis
A
Asexual reproduction
- result of hypridization of 2 species
- only sex is female, entire population is unisexual
- essentially clone themselves
- no sperm required in the process of reproduction
