“Sexual” behavior in parthenogenetic lizards ( Cnemidophorus )

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Abstract
All-female, parthenogenetic species afford a unique test of hypotheses regarding the nature and evolution of sexuality. Basic data on the behavior of parthenogens are lacking. From observations of captive C. uniparens, C. velox and C. tesselatus, behavior patterns remarkably similar to the courtship and copulatory behavior of closely related sexual species were discovered. In separately housed pairs, one lizard was repeatedly seen to mount and ride its cagemate and appose the cloacal regions. Dissection or palpation revealed that in each instance the courted animal was reproductively active, having ovaries containing large, preovulatory follicles, while the courting animal was either reproductively inactive or postovulatory, having ovaries containing only small, undeveloped follicles.