LEEWAY CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (LCRC)


Courtesy of Polyphemos


MEASUREMENTS ON INCREASE IN GIRTH AND WEIGHT IN THE SCINCIDAE SPECIES: Corucia zebrata (underlined)

Brian L. Schnirel & Sherri L. Jones
LEEWAY CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (LCRC)
Blenheim, S.C. 29516

______________________________________________________________


ABSTRACT:

Measurements between non gravid and gravid individuals of female Corucia zebrata (underlined) were taken and compared to gain a perspective of girth increase and weight of this Scincidae species.


KEY WORDS:

Corucia, Girth, Matrotrophy, Viviparous, Weight.



INTRODUCTION:

Corucia zebrata (underlined) is a large herbivorous Scincidae species oocuying a high canopy arboreal niche (Schnirel, 2004). This species reproduces by viviparous matrotrophy with the birth of a large (usually single)neonate after a 7.5 month gestation period. Occasionally twins are produced with a single report of a set of triplets (Langerwerf,2003). The neonate shortly after birth consumes the placenta and then will not eat again until day three. Corucia zebrata possess a rarity in the reptile world. They have a reptilian social order or Circulus. Crocodilians are also often very social as well with a Circulus Structure (Mohapatra, 1976).
Not only the parents, but other members of the Corucia Circulus will guard and nuture the young. In addition, introduced young will be adopted and raised. Due to the great genetic investment for a generally single youngster after a long gestation period, this species is hard wired to give any Corucia young top priority.



RESEARCH:


Girth Measurements:

Background:

Several Corucia were selected with approximately the same SVL (snout to vent length) and LOA (length overall). This was deemed necessary for accurate proportional measurements.


Method:

Girth measurements were conducted along the following guidelines. The location for the area of Girth measured was based on one quarter distance of the length (straight length as in all Corucia measurements) from the rear to front appendages. The one quarter distance from the rear legs was the location for the girth measurement.


Girth Size:

Non gravid
173 mm

Gravid
200 mm

(Based on an average of 22 common Solomon monkey skinks -Corucia zebrata zebrata{underlined}. Grvid females were tested at latter stages of pregnacy 6-7.5 months. All females gave birth to singletons. SVL = 260-270 mm LOA = 560-580 mm).


Weight:

Non-Gravid
413.90 Grams


Gravid
535.81 Grams

(Based on an average of 22 common Solomon monkey skinks- Corucia zebrata zebrata {underlined}. Gravid females were tested at latter stages of pregnancy 6-7.5 months. All females gave birth to singletons. SVL=260-270 mm LOA = 560-580 mm).


DISCUSSION:


Girth measurements show an average of a 15.5 % increase in size in the Gravid females tested. Weight measurements show an average of a 23% increase in the gravid females tested.



REFERENCES:


Bustard H.R.;
Moharana S.; 1985. Captive Breeding of the Gharial (Gavalis Gangeticus {underlined}).
ASRA the Journal of the association for the study of reptilia and
Amphibia 2(4): 23-45

Coburn John; 1996. Prehensile tailed skinks. T.F.H. Publications Inc. Neptune City,
New Jersey, U.S.A.

DeVosjoli, Phillippe; 1993. The general care and maintainence of prehensile tailed skinks.
Advanced Vivarium Systems Inc., Lakeside, California, U.S.A.
57 pages.

Hausechild; Gabner; 1999. Corucia zebrata (underlined): Der Wickelschwanz skink.
Natur and Tier, Munster, Germany. 79 pages.

Jones, Sherri L.;
Schnirel, Brian L.; 2006. Subspecies comparison of the Genus: Corucia. Polyphemos,
Volume 4, Issue 1, May, Florence, South Carolina, U.S.A.
pp. 1-25

Langerwerf, Burt 2003. Agama International; Personal Communication.

Schnirel, Brian L. 2004. SENI biometric analysis on the extinct Scincidae species:
Macroscincus coctei. (underlined) Polyphemos, Volume 2,
Issue 1, May, Florence, South Carolina, U.S.A. pp. 12-22.


It is our hope that this will be of benefit to those working with Corucia.

Sincerely,
Brian L. Schnirel
LCRC

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