對生態學家來說, 如何在野外進行標放時測定巨蜥的性別一直是相當困擾的. 因為巨蜥通常具有強而有力的尾部與顎部, 而且不像一般爬蟲類容易徒手翻出半陰莖檢查性別. 這篇發表在紐約科學院年報的文章則說明研究人員成功地同時使用半陰莖翻出術(就是傳說中的偏覽教嗎?)以及測定血漿中的雄激素(androgens)與雌激素(estradiol)比進行性別的測定.Successfully Determining the Sex of Adult Varanus mertensi (Reptilia: Varanidae) Using a Combination of Both Hemipenile Eversion and the Ratio of Androgens:Estradiol in Plasma
P.J MAYES a, , S D BRADSHAW b , F J BRADSHAW b
a Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
b School of Animal Biology and Centre for Native Animal Research, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia
Address for correspondence: P. J. Mayes, Centre for Ecosystem Management, Edith Cowan University, 100 Joondalup Drive, Joondalup, Western Australia 6027, Australia. p.mayes@ecu.edu.au
Abstract: In remote field localities, given limited access to specialized equipment, determining the sex of captured adult varanid lizards before release can be problematic. Determining the sex of the tropical semiaquatic Varanus mertensi, a species with significant tail musculature, is difficult using traditional hand-pressure-induced hemipenile eversion. As an alternative, we propose an extended technique for identifying the sex of adult V. mertensi. We recommend using a combination of the traditional field-based hemipenile eversion technique and a measurement of the ratio of androgens to estradiol in plasma samples taken from field-captured animals.
圖片連結: flickr中Macdonnelliensis所拍攝之圖片
