AGE STRUCTURE OF THE CAUCASIAN AGAMA (Paralaudakia caucasia) FROM ELMADAG, IGDIR, TURKEY: PRELIMINARY DATA FROM SMALL SAMPLE SIZE

WOS: 000426383300006Life history traits of lizard species, including agamid species, generally involve male-larger body size, but age of these species has not adequately been examined in each cohort. We thus conducted a skeletochronological study using 16 preserved specimens of Paralaudakia caucasia (8 males, 6 females, and 2 juveniles) captured from Elmadag, Igdir, Turkey. Mean snout-vent length was slightly but insignificantly larger in males (120.2 mm) than in females (115.9 mm). Maximum longevity was 10 years in males and 6 years in females. No significant difference in age structure was found between the sexes. Juveniles were 2-year old young. Mean age was 7.12 years for males and 5.33 years for females. Sexually matured individuals were found at the end of the second or third years (i.e., first reproduction occurred at 3 - 4 years). A positive correlation was detected in age and body size in both sexes, as has previously been shown in other lizard species. Our finding of age structure in P. caucasia would contribute to our understanding of life-history trait variations among lizard species

A skeletochronological study of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Amphibia: Urodela) from an island and a mainland population in Turkey

WOS: 000342305800009To understand the effects of island and mainland on life history traits (e. g. longevity, age at maturity, body size and body mass) of the smooth newt Lissotriton vulgaris (Linnaeus, 1758), we generated data on age and body measurements for an island (Bozcaada) and a mainland (Canakkale) population in northwestern Turkey. Age was determinated by skeletochronology. the maximum life span was 4 years in the island population and 5 years in the mainland population. Age at maturity was estimated to be 2-3 years for both sexes and the populations. While mean snout-venth length (SVL) was calculated as 35.56 mm for females and 31.95 mm for males in the mainland population, it was found to be 32.83 mm for females and 31.78 mm for males in the island population. Females from the mainland population were found to be significantly larger and heavier than those of the island population. A significant positive correlation was found between SVL and age for only males in the mainland population. Unexpectedly, age was not correlated with body size for the island individuals. Since there were hardly any demographic studies on any Urodela species comparing island and mainland populations, in this paper we contribute to the literature on this subject.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK Project)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [112T063]This study was supported by the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK Project No. 112T063)