Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 82 (2): 233-244, 2009
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Reproductive biology of the semi-aquatic snake Liophis semiaureus (Serpentes,
Colubridae) in the north-east of Argentina
SOLEDAD M. LÓPEZ, ALEJANDRO R. GIRAUDO, VANESA ARZAMENDIA & MARGARITA
Snakes in subtropical warm zones have a wide flexibility and diversity in your reproductive
tactics. In spite of it, the studies in South America about that are scanty yet. We analyzed sexual dimorphism, sexual maturity,
fecundity and reproductive cycle of a semi-aquatic snake, Liophis semiaureus, in north-east of Argentina. Females were
significantly longer and heavier than the males. Females reach sexual maturity with longer snout-vent length than the males. Males had
longer tails than the females. The reproductive cycle was seasonal. The individuals were more active on the first warm stations of the
year and before the floods. Liophis semiaureus spent more energy in reproduction than growth, so they began to
reproduce with smaller bodies than others population, this pattern of reproduction could be a profitable strategy in an environment of
seasonal climate. The reproduction and sexual dimorphism in L. semiaureus would be influenced by aspects
phylogenetic, geographical and ecological. The above aspects were similar to the taxonimic group but with their own characteristics
due to geographical factors and to ecological requirements.
maturity and sexual
dimorphism, fecundity, reproductive cycle, Liophis semiaureus, Argentina
