Age structure and growth of the oriental tree frog (Hyla orientalis, Amphibia, Hylidae) in the Samur Forest (North-Eastern Caucasus)

Abstract

The paper presents the results of studying the age structure and growth of the eastern tree frog (Hyla orientalis) in the Samur Forest. In the Primorskiy village (Magaramkent district, Republic of Dagestan, Russian Federation) in the first decade of May 2022, 7 females and 13 males were captured. The age of animals was determined by the cross sections of phalanx by standard method of skeletochronology. Age of females was 2–5 years (3.4 on average), males 1–6 years (3.4 on average). Life expectancy (ESP) in females is 4.33 years (S = 0.74), and in males 4.08 years (S = 0.72). The calculated maximum body length in females was 44.25 mm, males 41.54 mm. The growth rate of females is higher (k = 1.33) than that of males (k = 0.89).