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

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 Maçka (350 m a.s.l.), 6 years in Hidirnebi (1430 m a.s.l.), 8 years in Sarikamiş (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 Maçka, Hidirnebi and Sarikamiş 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 Sarikamis 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 Maçka population. © 2011 BRILL.