Longevity and body size in three populations of Dyscophus antongilii (Microhylidae, Dyscophinae), the tomato frog from north-eastern Madagascar

Abstract

Age profile and body size were studied in three populations of the rare and understudied tomato frog, Dyscophus antongilii, from NE Madagascar. For each individual, a phalanx was clipped and the bone used for skeletochronology. Sexual dimorphism is significantly different between all three populations: females are larger and heavier than males, with males also being distinguishable by a more yellowish throat. Age structure analysis was possible on two populations (Antara, Lampirano). The age within the two populations ranged between 3 and 7 years (mean ± SD = 5.0 ± 0.2) for males, and 3 to 11 years (mean ± SD = 5.8 ± 0.3) for females. Longevity was positively correlated to body size and weight within both sexes and populations. Sexual maturity was reached between 2 and 3 years, with sexual maturity recorded for males signifi- cantly lower than for females.