A skeletochronological study of age, growth and longevity of Rana macrocnemis populations from four locations at different altitudes in Turkey

KUTRUP B., ÖZDEMİR N., BÜLBÜL U., Cakir E.

AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA, vol.32, no.1, pp.113-118, 2011 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 32 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2011
  • Doi Number: 10.1163/017353710x541841
  • Journal Name: AMPHIBIA-REPTILIA
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
  • Page Numbers: pp.113-118
  • Keywords: age structure, growth, Rana macrocnemis, skeletochronology, Turkey, COMMON FROG, TEMPORARIA, MATURATION, AMPHIBIA, HOLTZI, ANURA, SIZE
  • Karadeniz Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

We examined life-history traits such as population age structure, growth and longevity of Iranian Long-Legged frogs (Rana macrocnemis) from 4 different locations at different altitudes in Turkey by skeletochronology performed on the phalanges. The maximum lifespan was 5 years in Macka (350 m a.s.l.), 6 years in Hidirnebi (1430 m a.s.l.), 8 years in Sarikamis (2276 m a.s.l.) and 10 years in Ovit (2850 m a.s.l.). Age at sexual maturity of both males and females was 2-3 years in the Macka, Hidirnebi and Sarikamis populations, while 3-4 years for males and 3-5 years for females in the Ovit population. In all populations, males and females did not exhibit any differences in terms of mean age and SVL except for Sarikami, s where the males were significantly larger than the females. A positive correlation was observed between age and SVL for both sexes in all populations except for the males of the Macka population.