Age structure of six Georgian anuran populationsand its dynamics during two consecutive years

Abstract

During two consecutive years, the age distribution of the reproductive portion of coexisting populations of Pelodytes caucasiens, Hyla arborea, Bufo verrucosissimus, B. viridis, Rana macrocnemis and R. ridibunda was studied using skeletochronological methods. Significant interspecific differences were found for the mean age of adults and population turnover rates, while the minimum age of maturation was two years for most species. The youngest mean age was found in P. caucasicus and R. ridibunda, the oldest in female Bufo spp. Turnover rates were higher in early maturing species.