The Study of Ovarian Cycle of the Caspian Green Lizard in Mazandaran Province

Caspian green lizard belongs to the family Lacertidae is diurnal and the main habitat of this species in Iran is the Caspian coasts and northern provinces. This study was conducted from April to October 2013 in Mazandaran Province and 24 mature female were collected from three stations: Goharbaran, Abandan­kesh, Abandan­sar around Sari County in order to the study of oogenic cycle of this species by hand during mid-day. Specimens after transferring to the laboratory were anesthetized with chloroform and body and ovarian morphometric characters were measured. During the activity period, the ovaries of 24 adult female specimens were morphologically and histologically studied. The results show that females start their oogenesis and vitellogenesis in early April. The oogenic cycle consists of three stages: inactive, vitellogenic and oviductal egg. The maximal oogenesis was obseved from early May to early June and completely stopped in early to mid August. The ovaries are pair and vesicular, consist of average 11 follicles in each ovary. The follicular layer is polymorphic and multilayer. The oogenic cycle of this species is seasonal and associated.