Study

Assisted breeding of skinks or how to teach a lizard old tricks!

  • Published source details Molinia F.C., Bell T., Norbury G., Cree A. & Gleeson D.M. (2010) Assisted breeding of skinks or how to teach a lizard old tricks!. Herpetological Conservation and Biology, 5, 311-319.

Actions

This study is summarised as evidence for the following.

Action Category

Use artificial insemination

Action Link
Reptile Conservation
  1. Use artificial insemination

    A replicated study in 2008–2009 in outdoor enclosures in Dunedin, New Zealand (Molinia et al. 2010) reported that artificially inseminated female McCann’s skinks Oligosoma maccanni did not give birth, although approximately half were gravid nine months after insemination. None of 10 artificially inseminated female McCann’s skinks gave birth in the year after insemination took place. Two months after insemination, eight of 10 artificially inseminated females were confirmed as ovulating and the authors reported that nine months after insemination approximately five of 10 of the females appeared to be gravid. Ten female McCann’s skinks kept in captivity were inseminated in March 2008 using sperm pooled from six males collected over two days (each female received at least 1 x 106 motile sperm, see original paper for details). Females were checked for ovulation by palpating the abdominal cavity.

    (Summarised by: Katie Sainsbury)

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