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Untersuchungen zur Jahresperiodik der Fortpflanzung bei männlichen Ruineneidechsen (Lacerta sicula campestris Betta)

I. Die Refraktärperiode

Investigations into the annual periodicity of reproduction in male lizards (Lacerta sicula campestris Betta)

I. The refractory period

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Summary

  1. 1.

    Under natural conditions of day-night changes at room temperature (Goettingen/Germany:51° 32′ N.lat.) the spermatogenetic cycle of the lizard (Lacerta sicula campestris Betta) shows an annual periodicity with only one phase of spermiohistogenetic activity. The spermiohistogenesis takes place from the middle of March to the end of June.

  2. 2.

    The reproductive system can be activated prematurely in winter (from middle of December onwards) by long photoperiods and high temperatures.

  3. 3.

    If the lizards are transferred during August or September, i.e. during the regeneration-phase, to a 14∶10-hours L:D-cycle at high temperatures (28–30°C), this combination of stimuli has a strong inhibitory effect on the reproductive system. Thus the animals show refractoriness to long photoperiods at high temperatures during the regeneration-phase in analogy to many birds of temperate zones and some fish.

  4. 4.

    The refractory period terminates at the end of November.

  5. 5.

    As opposed to birds of temperate zones neither decreasing photoperiods nor short days coupled with high temperatures have any effect on the end of the refractory period in this lizard. If, however, the animals are kept for 4 weeks in perpetual darkness and low temperatures (5–6°C) during summer, the regeneration-phase ceases immediately.

  6. 6.

    If in the refractory period long days are combined with low temperatures it is evident that low temperatures are the primary reactivating factor. Short days and perpetual darkness are of secondary importance only.

Zusammenfassung

  1. 1.

    Der Spermatogenesezyklus der Ruineneidechse (Lacerta sicula campestris Betta) weist im natürlichen Tag-Nacht-Wechsel (Standort Göttingen) bei Zimmertemperatur eine Jahresperiodik mit nur einer Phase spermiohisto-genetischer Aktivität (Mitte März bis Ende Juni) auf.

  2. 2.

    Das Fortpflanzungssystem läßt sich schon wieder im Winter (ab Mitte Dezember) durch lange Photoperioden und hohe Temperaturen aktivieren.

  3. 3.

    Überführt man im August oder September — also während der Regenerations-phase — Ruineneidechsen in einen 14: 10stündigen Langtag bei hoher Temperatur, so wirkt diese Reizkombination stark hemmend auf das Fortpflanzungssystem. Die Tiere sind demnach in der Regenerationsphase refraktär gegen lange Lichtzeiten bei hohen Temperaturen wie viele Vögel der gemäßigten Zonen und einige Fsche.

  4. 4.

    Die Refraktärperiode geht Ende November zu Ende.

  5. 5.

    Im Gegensatz zu Vögeln der gemäßigten Zonen haben bei dieser Eidechsenart weder abnehmende Tageslänge, noch Kurztag bei hohen Temperaturen einen Einfluß auf das Ende der Refraktärperiode. Hält man die Tiere aber im Sommer 4 Wochen lang in Dauerdunkel und bei niedriger Temperatur (5–6°C), so ist die Regenerationsphase sofort zu Ende.

  6. 6.

    Spielt man in der Refraktärperiode Langtag gegen niedrige Temperaturen aus, so zeigt sich, daß bei der Ruineneidechse die niedrige Temperatur der primäre reaktivierende Faktor ist. Kurztag und Dauerdunkel sind nur von sekundärer Bedeutung.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. I. Zoologisches Institut der Universität Göttingen, Deutschland

    Klaus Fischer

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  1. Klaus Fischer
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Additional information

Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft (Fi 78/5 + 6).

Die Arbeit ist ein Teil meiner Habilitationsschrift, die ich am 19. 10. 67 der Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Fakultät der Georg-August-Universität zu Göttingen vorlegte.

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Fischer, K. Untersuchungen zur Jahresperiodik der Fortpflanzung bei männlichen Ruineneidechsen (Lacerta sicula campestris Betta). Z. Vergl. Physiol. 60, 244–268 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00298601

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