Skeletochronology of the Levant Green Frog, Pelophylax bedriagae (Camerano, 1882), in Southern Iran

Abstract

Abstract: Skeletochronology is a reliable method for estimating the age and growth rate of many ectothermic vertebrates, including amphibians. The Levant green frog, Pelophylax bedriagae (Ranidae), is a relatively large frog distributed in the western and northern parts of Iran. The age structure of Pelophylax bedriagae was determined by examining 52 females and 39 males collected from Kohgilouyeh and Bouyerahmad Provinces (Yasouj and Basht). The age range of the two populations is three to 10 years. The maximum age for males and females is 10 and eight years, respectively. The highest age distribution for males is six years (17.6%) and four and six years (15.4%) for females. On average, males (6.2±1.4 years) are older than females (5.2±1.3 years). Male and female body size is correlated with age within both populations. However, despite being significantly different in average body size, the average age of the two populations (Yasouj vs. Basht) is not significantly different.