The Validity of Skeletochronology in Estimating Ages of Japanese Clouded Salamander, Hynobius nebulosus (Amphibia, Caudata)

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We assessed the accuracy of skeletochronology in estimating ages of Japanese clouded salamanders (Hynobius nebulosus) using the individuals whose ages (1–4 yr) are known by their cohort markings and the individuals that were consecutively captured at intervals of 4–7 yr. Skeletochronology correctly estimated the actual ages of 87.5% of individuals with known age. The errors in estimation ranged from −1 to +1 yr with an average of 0.03±0.11 (2SE) yr. In the consecutively captured samples, 77.3% of individuals were correctly estimated to age and the errors ranged from −1 to +1 yr with an average of −0.14±0.20 yr. Errors seem to be caused by either the timing of sampling bones or a rapprochement of the bone. However, our results demonstrate that skeletochronology is a valid tool for estimating individual age of H. nebulosus studied, with high accuracy and low degree of errors as a whole.<br>

Journal

  • Current Herpetology

    Current Herpetology 28 (2), 41-48, 2009

    The Herpetological Society of Japan

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