Abstract

Background: Varanus salvator is one of the reptiles being hunted by human beings for several purposes, including believed to be traditional medicine. The studies about reproductive biology aspects were limited.
Aim: This study aimed to determine the morphology, histology, and histometry of Varanus salvator paryphasmata and hemibaculum based on Snout-Vent Length (SVL) as an indicator of sexual maturity.
Methods: This study examined 18 pairs of hemipenis of V. salvator with SVL more and less than 40 cm in equal number. Paryphasmata and hemibaculum parts were observed visually and micro-sliced then stained with Hematoxylin-Eosin. Histo;ogical observation was conducted under a 40x, 100x, and 400x magnification of light microscope. The examination of the histometry of the paryphasmata were using 13 Megapixels Coolpad and OptiLab Plus for microscopic pictures. The chondrocyte cell area was measured using the Optilab Plus and Image Raster 3 applications.
Results: The sizes of glans of hemipenis, paryphasmata, and hemibaculum increased according to the increasing of SVL. The average paryphasmata row number, epidermis, and loose connective tissue thickness were not significantly different (p>0.05) . However, dense connective tissue was thicker (p

Key words: Chondrocytes, glans hemipenis, sexual maturity, snout-vent length.