Reproduction in Reptiles and Birds

Bonnie J Smith, Virginia‐Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia, USA

Published online: September 2005

DOI: 10.1038/npg.els.0001854

General features of reproduction in reptiles and birds as Classes rather than specific characteristics of individual Orders or Families. Similarities and differences of general reproductive physiology in reproductive behaviour of these two similar yet disparate egg-laying groups, including brief references to courtship and rearing of young.

Keywords: reptile; bird; reproduction; breeding; egg

Figure 1. Lateral, midsagittal view of male and female chameleon. (Reproduced from Mader DR (ed.) (1996) Reptile Medicine and Surgery. Philadelphia: WB Saunders Co.)
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 Further Reading
    book Farner DS, King JR and Parkes KC (eds) (1983) Avian Biology, vol. III. New York: Academic Press.
    book Gans C (ed.) (1969) The Biology of the Reptilia. New York: Academic Press.
    book Gil FB (1990) Ornithology. New York: W.H. Freeman and Co.
    book King AS and McLelland J (1984) Birds: Their Structure and Function. Philadelphia: Ballière-Tindall.
    book Porter KH (1972) Herpetology. Philadelphia, PA: W.B. Saunders Co.
    book Townson S and Lawrence K (eds) (1985) Reptiles: Breeding, Behavior, and Veterinary Aspects. London: British Herpetological Society.
    book Young JZ (1981) The Life of Vertebrates, 3rd edn. New York: Oxford University Press. Chaps 15 and 16.
    book Young JZ (1991) The Life of Vertebrates, 3rd edn. Oxford.
    book Zimmerman E (1986) Reptiles and Amphibians: Care, Behavior, and Reproduction, Chapter 14. Neptune City, NJ: TFH Publications, New York: University Press.

Related Sub-Topics:

Gametogenesis and Fertilisation | Life History and Reproduction
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Article Title: Reproduction in Reptiles and Birds
 
How to Cite close
Smith, Bonnie J(Sep 2005) Reproduction in Reptiles and Birds. In: eLS. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester. http://www.els.net [doi: 10.1038/npg.els.0001854]