Changes in body size distribution (X-axis) observed in small sea kraits (neonates+juveniles) over time in Ouen Island.

<p>The site was monitored during seven sessions (2010–2011), but we pooled sessions that were separated by less than three weeks (e.g. July & August 2011), resulting into 5 main periods. Different size cohorts, hence age cohorts, are visible. Recaptures of several individuals provide a strong support for the suggested succession of cohorts (cohort <i>n, n+1, n+2</i>; see text). Neonates (less than 50 cm SVL) grow rapidly and generate a shift toward larger body size from winter (July) to summer (December). This is indicated for the cohort <i>n+1</i> with the dashed lines.</p

Proportion of neonate (grey), juvenile (hatched) and adult (black bars) sea kraits observed in different populations of New Caledonia (N = 36 sites where the number of snakes exceeded 10 [Mean = 313 snakes per site, total N = 11,273 observations]).

<p>The populations have been ranked according to the proportion of adults. The first 20 sites are represented by small flat sandy coralline islets while the last four sites have an igneous or rocky substrate and are situated near, or on the shore of the mainland, see <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0090246#pone.0090246-Bonnet2" target="_blank">[31]</a> for map details.</p

Nov POp Function JAE data base

Nov POp Function JAE data bas