期刊
BIOLOGY-BASEL
卷 11, 期 6, 页码 -出版社
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/biology11060898
关键词
life history trait; growth curve; lines of arrested growth; innermost visible line; sexual size dimorphism
类别
资金
- 'Korea Environment Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI)' through the Project for the Development of Biological Diversity Threats Outbreak Management Technology - Korea Ministry of Environment (MOE) [RE201807039]
Despite limitations, the use of skeletochronology in amphibians is increasing. This study validates skeletochronology for the age determination of Kaloula borealis and provides accurate information on its life history traits and age structure, which are important for assessing population dynamics and setting conservation priorities. The study also reveals sexual size dimorphism in this species.
Despite having some limitations, the use of skeletochronology-age determination by counting lines of arrested growth (LAGs)-in amphibians is increasing. The main limitation of using skeletochronology is identifying the innermost visible line (IVL) and counting the exact number of LAGs. Thus, we tested its applicability to Kaloula borealis, a class II endangered amphibian in South Korea. We reared juveniles in the lab to investigate the process of bone formation. This confirmed the development of one LAG each year. Hence, our study validates skeletochronology for the age determination of this species and recommends it for others that show similar growth patterns. Furthermore, the comparison of threshold diameters with the IVL of wild individuals confirmed no LAG1 resorption. The average age of males and females in this population was 2.75 +/- 1.05 and 3.64 +/- 3 years, respectively. We estimated sexual maturity at 2 years with rapid growth up to that stage in both sexes. We found a female-dominated sexual size dimorphism. This study offers accurate information on the life history traits and age structure of K. borealis that may help to evaluate population dynamics in other areas, identify vulnerable life stages and sites, assess the causes of population decline, and set conservation priorities.
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