Gross morphology of ovarian changes during the reproductive cycle of Indian lizards (Calotes versicolor and Hemidactylus flaviviridis).

A comparative study has been made of the reproductive cycle and gross ovarian changes in two species of Indian lizards (Calotes versicolor and Hemidactylus flaviviridis), which are oviparous. They exhibit a single, short breeding season that extends over a few months. Calotes ovalutes 10 to 32 eggs per clutch (the highest number recorded so far for lizards belonging to the family Agamidae) from last week of June to the first week of September, with July through August being the months of highest reproductive potential when monsoon occurs. From October to May, there occur reduced ovaries containing small previtellogenic follicles which begin to increase in size with the approach of June when heavy yolk deposition occurs. Hemidactylus ovulates from mid-March to mid-May, with a peak in April when there occurs an appreciable increase in day length and temperature. It usually ovulates two eggs per clutch (one from each ovary). From June to the 3rd week of February, the ovaries remain small whitish bodies, each containing 3 or 4 small previtellogenic follicles of variable size which, with the approach of March, begin to increase in size by accumulating yolk. Various indirect evidences suggest that both the lizards lay more than one clutch of eggs during the breeding season.