Life History Traits and Body Size in Males Populations of Boana riojana (Anura: Hylidae) From Central Argentine

Abstract

We present the first date on the life history trait and growth pattern of Boana riojana from a sample of 35 individuals belonging to two populations in central Argentine. We analyzed morphometric variables in relation to age and determined age using skeletochronology. All adults exhibited identifiable bone structures that allowed for age determination. The mean snout-vent length of sexually mature males was 53.7mm, with an average age of 2.4 years. The species had a maximum longevity of four years, and the minimum age at sexual maturity was two years, which was consistent across both populations. Body size and age showed a positive correlation. The von Bertalanffy growth equation revealed an asymptotic snout-vent length of 59.7mm and a growth coefficient of 0.87. Additionally, a decline in growth rate was observed from the second to the third year of age. Although we conducted a comparative analysis of the two populations studied, we found no significant differences in the variables studied. In conclusion, determining the individual age of different populations of B. riojana has, for the first time, allowed us to establish the life history traits of the species.