Blackburn, D.G. (1998c). Resorption of oviductal eggs and embryos in squamate reptiles. Herpetological Journal 8: 65-71.

Abstract: Among squamate reptiles, gravid females commonly are said to be able to resorb infertile and malformed eggs from their oviducts. This pattern, if it existed, would allow females to recycle nutrients from abortive attempts at reproduction, and to increase lifetime reproductive potential by modulating reproductive effort according to environmental circumstances. However, a review of the literature reveals that evidence for oviductal egg resorption is weak, and does not preclude other fates for abortive eggs (egg retention or expulsion). Furthermore, for the oviduct to resorb eggs would require that it have the functional properties of the digestive tract, properties that may be incompatible with its several reproductive functions. Future work should not assume oviductal egg resorption in squamates without definitive evidence that the eggs are not simply aborted or retained by females following absorption of water.

Reprints: daniel.blackburn@mail.trincoll.edu