Age and Body Size Comparison of the Turkish Smooth Newt, Lissotriton schmidtleri (Raxworthy, 1988) (Amphibia: Urodela) Populations from Two Different Altitudes

Authors : Habibe Güler, Nazan Üzüm, Kurtuluş Olgun, Aziz Avci

Pages : 24-30

Doi:10.31594/commagene.1225199

View : 39 | Download : 57

Publication Date : 2023-06-30

Article Type : Research Article

Abstract :In this study, comparison of body size and age structure of two populations of Lissotriton schmidtleri from two different altitudes (Efes, 5 m and Karagöl, 816 m a.s.l.) was carried out. We applied phalangeal skeletochronology to obtain the age of adults by counting the lines of arrested growth (LAGs) in phalangeal cross-sections. Female-biased sexual dimorphism was observed in both populations. Both male and female individuals in Efes and Karagöl populations reached sexual maturity at the age of 2. The maximum age or longevity was calculated as 10 years in males and 8 years in females. Considering all individuals, Karagöl population was found to be older than Efes population. For both populations, a significant positive correlation was found between age and size in males and females.
Keywords : Semender, yaş yapısı, iskelet kronolojisi, uzun ömürlülük, Türkiye