REPRODUCTION OF SIBERIAN SALAMANDER SALAM ANDRELLA-KEYSERLINGII

Sexual behaviour and histological structure of reproductive organs in males and females of Salamandrella keyserlingii were investigated duri ng three seasons. It was found that internal fertilization takes place in Salamandrella keyserlingii and the sexual cycle is 3 years long. D uring the first year, the spermatocytes are accumulated in the male an d meiosis takes place. In the spring of the second year, spermatogenes is begins. It ends with the maturation of spermatozoons in July. In th e middle of summer, females capture spermatozoons which penetrate thro ugh oviducts to the body cavity where they are preserved during winter . In the third year spring, females lay eggs fertilized by spermatozoo ns which spent the winter in their body cavity. It was shown that duri ng the spring games, the males imitate fertilization of the eggs thoug h there are no mature spermatozoons in male body.