Spermatogenesis timing durability in lizards: Ophisops elegans (Sauria: Lacertidae) in Iran

As a model for study of spermatogenesis durability in lizards, 75 specimens of the snakeeyed lizard, Ophisops elegans, were collected from western Iranian Plateau. The testes of each specimen were removed, during four years from March to October. Based on histological and statistical analyses, three phases were observed in Ophisops elegans as follows: (I) active phase that occurs from March to May, (II) transitional phase that occurs from June to July and finally (III) resting phase that occurs from August to October. Based on this study, spermatogenesis durability in O. elegans is less than fivemonths. Spermatogenesis durability of O. elegans occurred in post-hibernation period and stopped in pre-hibernation.