Event Title
Development and Care of Anolis Sagrei Eggs
Faculty Sponsor
Simon Lailvaux
Submission Type
Poster
Description
The purpose of this project was to learn about care and development of Anolis Sagrei eggs. Breeding animals in the lab can sometimes present a problem as conditions are not always optimal for growth to occur. This problem was addressed by developing a protocol for egg care in the lab. Reproduction of A. Sagrei occurs seasonally, twice a year; once in the spring, and again in the summer. Males compete for females by physically fighting for territory and by the displaying of their dewlaps. Female A. Sagrei will lay a single egg every week until the end of the breeding season. Females may also lay unfertilized eggs as well, if no male was available. The eggs are laid a few centimeters into the soil. After the eggs are collected, they are then transferred to a Petri dish filled about halfway with vermiculite. The vermiculite was moistened equal to its weight with water, and the egg was “tucked” into the vermiculite so that it would not shift positions. The containers were then put into an incubator set to 27oC. Humidity was kept in the incubator by lightly misting the inside of the incubator twice daily. Eggs were monitored daily to be sure that the temperature, humidity, and position of the egg were steady. The entire length of incubation time was on average 30 days. The new hatchlings were approximately 18mm in length. They were put into cages with vegetation, given small, newly hatched crickets to eat, and the entire cage was misted with water. It was preferable that eggs hatched around the same time so that the hatchlings could be grouped together. Grouping usually relieves the stress of being alone for the hatchlings.
Development and Care of Anolis Sagrei Eggs
The purpose of this project was to learn about care and development of Anolis Sagrei eggs. Breeding animals in the lab can sometimes present a problem as conditions are not always optimal for growth to occur. This problem was addressed by developing a protocol for egg care in the lab. Reproduction of A. Sagrei occurs seasonally, twice a year; once in the spring, and again in the summer. Males compete for females by physically fighting for territory and by the displaying of their dewlaps. Female A. Sagrei will lay a single egg every week until the end of the breeding season. Females may also lay unfertilized eggs as well, if no male was available. The eggs are laid a few centimeters into the soil. After the eggs are collected, they are then transferred to a Petri dish filled about halfway with vermiculite. The vermiculite was moistened equal to its weight with water, and the egg was “tucked” into the vermiculite so that it would not shift positions. The containers were then put into an incubator set to 27oC. Humidity was kept in the incubator by lightly misting the inside of the incubator twice daily. Eggs were monitored daily to be sure that the temperature, humidity, and position of the egg were steady. The entire length of incubation time was on average 30 days. The new hatchlings were approximately 18mm in length. They were put into cages with vegetation, given small, newly hatched crickets to eat, and the entire cage was misted with water. It was preferable that eggs hatched around the same time so that the hatchlings could be grouped together. Grouping usually relieves the stress of being alone for the hatchlings.