2025 Ecosystem Transformation 8 (3), 138-150

Age structure and growth of the Dybowski’s frog (Rana dybowskii) from the urban population in the south of Primorsky Krai

Kidov A.A. , Ivolga R.A., Kondratova T.E.

The paper presents the study results of the age structure and growth characteristics of Rana dybowskii dwelling in the city of Fokino (Primorsky Krai, Russia). We measured a body length of the captured frogs, removed the phalanx of the fourth digit of the hind limb and released the animals in the place of their capture. Age was determined using the method of skeletochronology. A total of 48 specimens (10 immature frogs, 18 females, and 20 males) were studied. The age of sexually mature females and males did not differ statistically and varied within 1–5 years (2.44 years on average) in the first group and 1–4 years (1.95 years on average) in the second. Females were predominantly represented by two-year (33.33%) and three-year-olds (27.78%), while males by yearlings (55.0%). In females, only one-year and three-year-olds statistically significantly differed in body size. In males, such differences were noted between the age 1 and age 3, the age 1 and age 4, as well as between the age 2 and age 4 frogs. Most one-year-olds exhibited the pronounced signs of sexual dimorphism. A significant age dependence of the body length was established for both sexes. In the urban population of R. dybowskii, animals reached sexual maturity early, continued to grow after maturation, had a short lifespan and, as a result, most of them participated in reproduction only during the 1–2 season.

A. A. Kidov
Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Timiryazevskaya St. 49, Moscow, 127550 Russia

kidov_a@mail.ru

R. A. Ivolga
Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Timiryazevskaya St. 49, Moscow, 127550 Russia


T. E. Kondratova
Russian State Agrarian University – Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy
Timiryazevskaya St. 49, Moscow, 127550 Russia

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