Growth and Longevity by Skeletochronological Analysis in Mantidactylus microtympanum, a Rain-Forest Anuran from Southern Madagascar

• DOI: 10.2307/1447718
• Publication Date: 2006-04-26T14:13:53Z
• Authors: Fabio M. Guarino; Franco Andreone; Francesco Angelini
• Keywords: 0106 biological sciences; 01 natural sciences

dant bone matrix and lines of arrested growth (LAGs). Conversely, amphibians reptiles from tropical subtropical areas, particularly those inhabiting rain forests with relatively constant environments, are expected to have either ill-defined or no LAGs, since these species presumably scarce interruptions hence continuous growth. Alternatively, if undergo annual patterns inactivity, then a seasonal pattern LAGs should be detectable. However, despite the great number skeletochronological papers recently published on (Castanet et al., 1993, 1996; Guarino 1995), one has ever investigated forests. The aim this study was examine skeletochronology in Mantidactylus microtympanum, an endemic anuran Malagasy forest, determine whether technique appropriate for estimating age structure herpetofauna. Blommers-Schlosser (1993) includes M. microtympanum subfamily Mantellinae (Ranidae), which is Madagascar. This large-sized (snoutvent length up 100 mm) inhabits rain-forest streams southeast Grand'Ile, it active visible mainly at night. Males females differ some characters, such as belly convexity, biometric ratios, peculiar cloaca female. Both juveniles adults brownish back, although mottled former. large size allowed us perform analysis phalanges alone and, therefore mark release individuals site