The ovipositional behaviour of the endemic whistling lizard <i>Calotes liolepis </i>Boulenger, 1885<i> </i>(Reptilia: Agamidae) in the Knuckles forest region of Sri Lanka

Abstract

A mature female Calotes liolepis was observed laying eggs on the ground in Manigala in the Knuckles Forest Region of Sri Lanka. This is the first completely described observation of the ovipositioning as well as the captive egg hatching of Calotes liolepis. This ovipositional behaviour consisted of the digging of the nest cavity, oviposition, scraping of the soil to bury the eggs, filling of the spaces between the eggs, compression of the soil, and camouflage of the nest. The sizes of three eggs were increased during incubation: day 1 mean = 17.5 mm × 9.2 mm (length × width), and after 70-71 days mean = 21.7 mm × 14.4 mm. Three hatchlings were emerged (mean snout-to-vent length = 29.9 mm; tail length = 58.2 mm; head length = 10.2 mm. Immediate conservation measures are needed for this endemic and threatened lizard, and the observations related to its egg-laying could be useful in planning and implementing suitable conservation methods.