Age structure in two populations of Triturus vittatus ophryticus at different altitudes

Kutrup B., Bulbul U., Yilmaz N.

AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA, vol.26, no.1, pp.49-54, 2005 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 26 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2005
  • Doi Number: 10.1163/1568538053693314
  • Journal Name: AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.49-54
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

We investigated age structure by skeletochronology in two breeding populations of Triturus vittatus ophryticus inhabiting altitudes ranging from 300 m (in Gurbulak) to 1300 m (in Hidirnebi) in northeastern Turkey. The mean age was 4 years (maximum 10) in Gurbulak population and 8 (maximum 16) in Hidirnebi population. In the lowland population, minimum age at maturation was two to three years while it was four years in the highland population. The mean snout-vent length of the populations was significantly different and we found no correlation between age and snout-vent length except for females of Gurbulak. Sexual dimorphism in body size and weight was detected in both populations.