Measurements on Near Term Corucia Fetus







Brian L. Schnirel and Sherri Lee Jones

Leeway Corucia Research Center (LCRC)

Blenheim, South Carolina, 29516





Abstract:





Measurements on a stillborn Corucia fetus (Common Solomon Monkey Skink - Corucia zebrata

zebrata (underlined) were undertaken to gain a perspective of development of this unique and



endangered Scincidae species.





Introduction:



Corucia zebrata (underlined), a large herbivorous Scincidid lizard capable of viviparous



matrotrophy, occasionally produces miscarrages. The reason for these miscarrages could be natural,



for on the one hand, no one has properly researched Corucia zebrata (underlined) in it's natural



habitat. However, many zoos, research institutions, and private individuals have had 100% success



rate with this species. If captive aspects of possible miscarrage causes are to be addressed, the



questions of whether environmental or genetic factors play a role are a topic for further research.



Measurements on stillborn Corucia young may, in some way, help address those questions or, at the



very least, give a perspective of the development process of this livebearing species.





Research:



A near term stillborn fetus, with placenta and umbilical cord intact, was studied and measured.



(Father - LCRC/Czz/31, Mother - LCRC/Czz/34). This individual was near full term, approximately



age 6.5 -7 months out of a 7.5 month gestation period.





Weight:



Umbilical Cord and Placental Sack (completely intact):



28.35 Grams





Fetal Weight (minus Umbilical Cord and Placental Sack):



48.19 Grams





Length Measurements:





SVL (Snout To Vent Length):



125 mm.



LOA (Length Overall):



255 mm.





Discussion:



The placental attachment, as indicated, shows a substantional proportion of weight in the Corucia



pregnancy (approximately 37% of total weight).



Corucia zebrata (underlined), in the latter stages of fetal development, seems to indicate that this



species develops faster in growth in the tail region than in the torso or SVL. Further measurements



in this area with stillborn young can strengthen this assessment. This is based on an average of 39



newborn neonates (Schnirel-Jones, 2006). Measurements are: SVL = 135 mm, LOA = 289 mm



(Common Solomon Monkey Skink - Corucia zebrata zebrata (underlined). SVL = 170 mm, LOA =



370 mm ( North Solomon Monkey Skink - Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti (underlined). Also, a



stillborn North solomon Monkey Skink - Corucia zebrata alfredschmidti (underlined), also showed the



shortened tail as this was also a stillborn not at full development (Father - LCRC/Cza/6, Mother -



LCRC/CZA/3). The Common Solomon Monkey Skink - Corucia zebrata zebrata (underlined), shows



from the data above, a 10 mm increase in the SVL and a 34 mm increase in the LOA in the latter



stages of pregnancy. This would seem to indicate that the tail length accelerates quicker in growth



towards the end of the gestation period.







References:



Coburn, John; 1985. Prehensile tailed skinks. T.F.H. Publications Inc. Neptune City,

New Jersey. 64 pages



DeVosjoli, Phillippe; 1993. The general care and maintainence of prehensile skinks. Advanced

Vivarium Systems Inc. Lakeside, California, U.S.A. 57 pages.



Hausechild; Gabner; 1999. Corucia zebrata (underlined): DEr Wickleschwanz 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.

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