Age and Body Size of the Shangcheng Stout Salamander Pachyhynobius shangchengensis (Caudata: Hynobiidae) from Southeastern China

Age and body size are critical for understanding life history evolution and ecology. In this study, the age and body size of the Shangcheng stout salamander, Pachyhynobius shangchengensis, from a population in Anhui Province, China, were studied by skeletochronology. The mean age was 8.8 +/- 02 (mean +/- SD) years in females and 9.6 +/- 02 in males and ranged 5-13 years for both sexes. The mean age was significantly different between sexes. The mean body size and mass were (10021 +/- 0.91) mm and (31.76 +/- 0.73) g in females, and (105.31 +/- 123) mm and (37.14 +/- 1.12) g in males, respectively. Males were significantly larger and heavier than females, indicating sexual size dimorphism. There was a significant positive correlation among body size, body mass, and age, suggesting that the oldest individuals are larger and heavier. The growth rate in males was significantly higher than in females. The present study provides preliminary data on life-history traits which can be helpful for future studies of this species and other hynobiid salamanders.