Comparison of the body size and age structure of Lebanon lizard, Phoenicolacerta laevis (GRAY, 1838) at different altitudes in Turkey
VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY, cilt.68, sa.1, ss.83-90, 2018 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 68 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2018
- Dergi Adı: VERTEBRATE ZOOLOGY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.83-90
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Lacertidae, Phoenicolacerta laevis, age, size, sexual dimorphism, skeletochronology, Turkey, SQUAMATA LACERTIDAE, SEXUAL-DIMORPHISM, GROWTH, POPULATIONS, RACERUNNER, PATTERN, RECORD, AGILIS
- Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
In this study, comparison of a life history traits (e.g. body size, age at maturity, longevity) of two populations of Phoenicolacerta laevis from different altitudes is being carried out (Anamur, 22 m a.s.l.; Andirin, 1.083 m a.s.l.) for the first time. We applied phalangeal skeletochronology to obtain the age of juveniles and adults. Age was determined by counting the lines of arrested growth (LAGs) in cross-sections. Males in both populations were the larger of the two sexes and a male biased sexual dimorphism was determined for both populations. Body size (SVL) was similar in both sexes and populations. Age of maturity was calculated to be 3 years of age for males and females in both populations. The average age of males and females was calculated as 6.62 +/- 0.37 (Mean +/- SE) and 6.11 +/- 0.26 years in Anamur, and 6.15 +/- 0.51 and 5.26 +/- 0.24 years in Andirin. There was statistically significant variation between sexes, but no significant difference in populations was found in relation to age. For both populations, a significant positive correlation was found between age and SVL in males and females.