Age structure and growth in two Tunisian populations of green water frogs Rana saharica: a skeletochronological approach

Age structure was determined by skeletochronology in Tunisian Rana saharica from two pond sites, one permanent, and the other temporary. Frogs matured at age 3 years; no males older than 5 were found, whereas some females had reached 7 years. Age for age, females were larger than males, but the differences were not significant. There was no obvious difference in age/size relationships between the two ponds. The high variability in juvenile sizes may relate to different life history patterns, as suggested for Moroccan R. saharica.