Min MAO,Yan HUANG,Zhiping MI,et al.Skeletochronological Study of Age, Longevity and Growth in a Population of Rana nigromaculata (Amphibia: Anura) in Sichuan, China[J].Asian Herpetological Research(AHR),2012,3(3):258-264.[doi:10.3724/SP.J.1245.2012.00258]
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Skeletochronological Study of Age, Longevity and Growth in a Population of Rana nigromaculata (Amphibia: Anura) in Sichuan, China
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Asian Herpetological Research[ISSN:2095-0357/CN:51-1735/Q]

Issue:
2012 VoI.3 No.3
Page:
258-264
Research Field:
Original Article
Publishing date:
2012-09-25

Info

Title:
Skeletochronological Study of Age, Longevity and Growth in a Population of Rana nigromaculata (Amphibia: Anura) in Sichuan, China
Author(s):
Min MAO1 2 Yan HUANG1 2 Zhiping MI1 2 Yanhong LIU1 2 and Caiquan ZHOU1 2*
1 Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, Sichuan, China
2 Institute of Rare Animals and Plants, China West Normal University, Nanchong 637009, Sichuan, China
Keywords:
age structure Rana nigromaculata population skeletochronology
PACS:
-
DOI:
10.3724/SP.J.1245.2012.00258
Abstract:
A skeletochronological study was conducted for the age, longevity and growth of a Rana nigromaculata population in northeastern Sichuan, China. Of 139 specimens, 119 (68 males and 51 females) exhibited distinct arrested growth lines in phalanges. Age at first reproduction was found to be two years of age for males and three for females. Maximum longevity was estimated to be at least six years in males and seven years in females. Average age did not differ between males and females. Breeding females were significantly older than breeding males. Females were larger in body size and heavier in body mass than males. Age was not correlated with body size and body mass in males, but a significant correlation was found among age, body size and body mass in females. The growth curve appeared significantly different between the sexes, with a higher growth rate throughout life and a larger asymptotic size in females. Moreover, analysis of the growth model indicated that the population studied was relatively stable.

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