MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF LONG-TERM FETUSES OF Crotalus durissus terrificus

Abstract

The rattlesnake Crotalus durissus terrificus is a viviparous snake, with chorioallantoic placenta, whose fetuses are kept in the oviduct until the complete fetal development. Although the Brazilian rattlesnake reproductive biology is extensively studied, little is known about the morphological aspects of its fetuses. This study aimed to characterize the morphology of fetuses of C. d. terrificus in advanced stages of gestation. For this, the fetal membranes were dissected and the fetuses isolated and photodocumented. Terms fetuses present inoculating fang, characterizing the Solenoglyph dentition. It was possible to observe the presence of the heat-sensing pit organ, as well vestiges of the umbilical cord and, in the male specimen, the inverted hemipenis. In this stage of fetal development, the rattlesnake fetuses are similar to the fetuses of other species, oviparous and viviparous, with formed and pigmented scales.