Individual aspects of Takydromus wolteri and Takydromus amurensis biology

The paper presents information regarding specific aspects of reproduction and nutrition of two poorly studied lizard species of genus Takydromus (Takydromus wolteri and Takydromus amurensis) in the north-eastern part of their habitat (Primorskiy Krai, Far East, Russia). The material given in the publication was collected both in natural and laboratory conditions. Data related to quantity as well as size of eggs and juveniles (right after their birth) are presented. The joint clutch of several female of T. amurensis was found for the first time and contained 30 eggs. For the first time the incubation period has been reported for these species that inhabit Russian territory (T. amurensis – 44–56 days, T. wolteri – 42–44). Date of escape from eggs has been revealed for T. wolteri to be earlier than given in literature and occur on second decade of August. Cline dependence of morphometric and reproductive parameters have been dealt. Both species have been shown to prefer the following invertebrates as meal in lab conditions – Aranei, Geophilomorpha, Lithobiomorpha, Tenebrionidae (larve), Muscidae, Ectobiidae и Gryllidae. New information regarding nutritional behavior is provided for T. wolteri and T. amurensis in terrarium conditions. Both species use various traits to kill and to eat the catch based on the group to which the invertebrate is related. It has been shown empirically that juveniles of T. amurensis can eat meal right in 2–3 hours after their escape from the eggs.