Morphometric differentiation and geographic variation among populations of Boana cordobae (Anura: Hylidae): effect to age

Abstract

We estimated differences in body size and age structure of six populations of Boana cordobae living at different altitudes, 808-2 310 m.a.s.l. in Córdoba and San Luis provinces (Argentina). We measured 15 morphometric variables and used skeletochronology to age determination of 79 individuals. Morphometric variables showed significant differences between sexes, being females larger than males, even when the effect of age was taken into account. We found a significant relationship between age and most of the morphometric variables. When removing the effects of age, we found significant inter-population differences in body size. Males from the high-elevation populations were larger than individuals from low-elevation populations. These results suggest that a difference in age structure between populations is a main factor for the geographic variation in body size of this species.

Hemoparasites Do Not Affect Life-History Traits and Cellular Immune Response in Treefrog Hosts Boana cordobae

“…The species status of this treefrog has been recognized by Faivovich et al in 2004 [41], followed by a reconstruction of its phylogenetic relationships and a generic reassignment [42,43]. These frogs inhabit rocky mountain streams and rivers and are only known to exist at elevations of 808-2310 m a.s.l., in mountainous areas [44]. They exhibit a variable dorsal color pattern.…”