Age estimation of Anatololacerta anatolica (Werner, 1902) in the vicinity of Canakkale by skeletochronology

Yakin B. Y., TOK C. V.

TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, vol.39, no.1, pp.66-73, 2015 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 39 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2015
  • Doi Number: 10.3906/zoo-1311-33
  • Journal Name: TURKISH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.66-73
  • Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, age estimation using skeletochronology was done in 43 specimens (6 male male, 29 female female, 8 juv.) of Anatololacerta anatolica living in the vicinity of Canakkale. When the cross-sections taken from phalanges were examined, the median age for the Canakkale population was 4 years. The maximum age was calculated as 10 years for female individuals, and the maximum snout-vent length (SVL) of female individuals was measured as 74.18 mm. The mean SVL was 57.39 (SD = 4.6) mm for males and 63.62 (SD = 8.62) mm for females. The age at sexual maturity was determined as 3 years for both sexes of this species. As a result of correlation analysis, a strong correlation was found for both males (r: 0.845) and females (r: 0.886) in terms of age and SVL. These specimens were also examined for morphological properties and pholidosis characters.