Age structure, growth, and body size of pelodytes caucasicus from Turkey

Abstract

Habitat conditions drive the growth rate and the age structure of near-threatened species of Caucasian parsley frog (Pelodytes caucasicus). We studied the age structure and the growth parameters of the Caucasian parsley frogs obtained from four regions of Anatolia, that is, Giresun, Trabzon, Rize, and Artvin. Our results revealed a lower growth rate among the frogs residing in anthropogenic areas (Cimbirtlik, Giresun; cat, Rize) compared to those living in the conservative areas (Hidirnebi, Trabzon; Karagol, Artvin). Also, the lowest values for age structure and the snout-vent length (SVL) were found in anthropogenic areas. Since P. caucasicus is categorized as "Near-Threatened" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Red Data Books of some countries, we must manage protected areas and plan future conservation action for this species.