AGE, BODY SIZE, AND GROWTH IN A POPULATION OF THE ASIATIC TOAD Bufo gargarizans FROM CENTRAL CHINA

Age structure, body size and growth are three of the most important attributes of life history traits. In present study, the age, body size and growth in a population of Asiatic toad, Bufo gargarizans, from central China were researched. Age was estimated by skeletochronology method. Females (ranged from 2 - 6 years and had a mean age of 3.60 year) were significantly older than males (ranged from 2 - 5 years and had a mean age of 3.20 year). Females were significantly larger and heavy than males, also when the effect of age on body size and body mass was controlled for. Growth rate, modeled according to von Bertalanffy growth model, was significantly higher in females than in males. The age structure and growth rate were assumed as the major factors affecting sexual size dimorphism.