FOLLICULAR DEVELOPMENT AND REPRODUCTIVE APTITUDE IN THE LIZARD Tropidurus torquatus (TROPIDURIDAE) FROM A LOCALITY IN THE CERRADO IN CENTRAL-WESTERN BRAZIL

The characterization of the developing follicles and the reproductive aptitude of the oviparous lizard Tropidurus torquatus, from a locality in the Cerrado of Central-Western Brazil were determined using light microscopy. 35 female specimens in the Sector of Herpetology-Reptilia of the Zoological Collection of Federal University of Mato Grosso (CZUFMT-R) had their right ovary removed and included in plastic resin for histological evaluation. Ovaries presented oogonia and oocytes located on the germinal bed, while in the stroma, several follicles in different developmental stages were found. Two phases have been identified, a previtellogenic and a vitellogenic stage, similar to other species of lizards. The maintenance of intercellular bridges during vitellogenesis and the arrangement of cortical alveoli, with a group extending from the center toward the periphery of the vitellogenic oocyte was specific to T. torquatus. Formation of corpus luteum and atresia were structural modifications of the granulosa and theca components related to hormonal control, similar to that already established for other species of lizards. The reproductive aptitude was seasonal with a period of reproductive inactivity, without egg production nor vitellogenic follicles from April to July. Clutch size and the average contribution of follicles and eggs in reproductive females was smaller (4.21 ±1.76) for the same species in the Cerrado of Central Brazil, but with an equal amount of eggs in the oviducts (N=6). Considering the follicular development in the neotropical lizard, T. torquatus was unique in relation to maintenance of the intercellular bridge and the arrangement of cortical alveoli. These features add to the information related to reproductive seasonality of this population in the Cerrado biome.