Seasonal histology and ultrastructure of the urogenital system in two sympatric lizards

Abstract

AbstractThe urogenital system of male squamates consists of the testis, testicular ducts, and sexual segment of the kidney. These structures undergo seasonal variation, and their morphology is variable across taxa. Despite multiple studies examining the morphology of the various components of the reproductive system, few studies have examined squamates in sympatry. The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphology and seasonal variation of the reproductive system in two taxa that are sympatric with one another, Anolis carolinensis and Sceloporus undulatus, from southeastern Louisiana. Specimens were collected monthly for an entire year and processed for histological and ultrastructural analysis. Both species have a single rete testis leading from the testis to the ductuli efferentes, which leads into the proximal portion of the epididymis. The rete testis consists of a simple squamous epithelium with irregularly shaped nuclei, the ductuli efferentes consists of a ciliated simple cuboidal epithelium, and the epididymis a pseudostratified columnar epithelium. No differences were observed in the morphology of the urogenital systems between taxa but phenological variation was observed in terms of the tissue development for reproduction. Anolis carolinensis has an extended active period and two separated periods of maximal activity evidenced by two peaks in the ductuli efferentes epithelial height and tubular diameter (March and July) whereas Sceloporus undulatus only had a single peak occurring in June. These results suggest that reproductive morphology may be conserved at taxonomic levels above family level, and reproductive activity may be constrained phylogenetically and is not solely dependent on environmental factors, at least in terms of geographic range, though it is acknowledged that microhabitats may play a major role in cyclicity of reproductive events. Future studies examining species at various taxonomic levels, as well as species in sympatry, will provide additional insight into hypotheses concerning abiotic factors and reproductive biology.