Kusrini, Mirza Dikari, and Alford, Ross A. (2006) The application of skeletochronology to estimate ages of three species of frogs in West Java, Indonesia. Herpetological Review, 37 (4). pp. 423-425.

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Abstract

[Extract] Skeletochronology has been used succe5sfiIlly to estimate age in temperate and sub-temperate frogs (Halliday and Verrel 1988; Khonsue et al. 2002; Morrison et al. 2004; Reaser 2000; Ryser 1988). In temperate species, lines of arrested growth (LAGs) in bones arc usually distinct and arc formed during winter (Halliday and Verrel 1988; Reaser 2000; Ryser 19S5). Few attempts have been made to estimate age using tlus method in tropical frogs (Guarino et al. 1998; Khonsue et al. 2000; Kumbar and Pancharatna 2001; Pancharatna et aI. lOOU) and it has not prcviously been applied to Indonesian frogs.

As part of a population study of three species of edible frogs in Indonesia, we examined phalanges taken from toe clips of Fejervarya limnocharis, F. cancrivora, and Limnonectes macrodon to determine whether it is possible to estimate the ages of individuals of these tropical species using skeletochronology. For every frog captured, we recorded sex, body size as measured by SVL (snout-vent length) and mass, and clip code. Since each frog was numbered uniquely. phalanges used for skeletochronological analysis were taken from different toes. Fejervatya limnocharis and F. cancrivora were encountered in rice fields, and L. macrodon was found primarily at streams.

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