A skeletochronological study of age in the Caspian pond turtle, Mauremys caspica caspica (Testudines: Geoemydidae) in Golestan Province, Iran

We estimated age of the Caspian pond turtle, Mauremys caspicacaspicain Golestan Province with the skeletochronological method, using specimens collected by nets in natural habitats such as ponds and fish farms. In adult M. c. caspica, lines of arrested growth (LAGs) were clearly discernable in the phalangeal and fibula bone cross-sections. The median age of M. c. caspica in the examined Golestan Province population(n = ۲۲) was calculated ۹.۶ years (۴-۱۲) in males (n = ۱۰), and ۱۰.۱۶ years (۴-۱۳) in females (n = ۱۲) for the first time. The maximum straight carapace length (SCL۲) was in the range of ۸۳.۷۴–۲۲۱.۴۱ (mean ± SD = ۱۷۸.۳۹ ± ۴۸.۸۹) mm in males and ۱۰۳.۰۲–۲۳۶.۸۴ (۱۹۳.۵۲ ± ۴۱.۳۲) mm in female specimens. Significant correlation was found between body size and age (p < ۰.۰۰۱). No difference was found in age composition between the sexes. Our study showed that skeletochronological method can be successfully applied to the Caspian pond turtle based on the clear arrest of growth in the hibernation period.

Keywords:

Age , Caspian pond turtle , Golestan Iran , LAGs , Mauremys caspica , Skeletochronology