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Measurements On Near Term Corucia Fetus
LEEWAY CORUCIA RESEARCH CENTER (LCRC)
Courtesy of Polyphemos
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.
Sincerely,
Brian L. Schnirel
LCRC
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