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Reproductive Cycle Of The Male Snapping Turtle, Chelydra Serpentina Serpentina (Linné), Harold Edward Benny

Masters Theses

Thirty-seven male Chelydra s. serpentina were collected from Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Wisconsin during months of activity from May, 1969 to June 1971. Carapace length for each specimen was measured, and testes and epididymides were dissected out, weighed, measured, fixed, and preserved in Baker's neutral formalin within seven days of capture. Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Frozen sections were stained with Sudan IV.

The spermatogenic cycle was similar to those of other Chelonians and reptiles exhibiting post-nuptial spermatogenesis. In Illinois spermatocytogenesis begins in late March or early April. Meiosis is evident throughout May and early June. …