Age structure and growth rates of two Korean salamander species (Hynobius yangi and Hynobius quelpaertensis) from field populations

• Published in: Animal cells and systems Vol. 14; no. 4; pp. 315 - 322
• Main Authors: Lee, J.H., Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea, Min, M.S., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kim, T.H., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Baek, H.J., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Lee, H., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Park, D.S., Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Daejeon Taylor & Francis Group 01-12-2010; Taylor & Francis Ltd; 한국통합생물학회
• Subjects: AGE STRUCTURE; annual survivorship; Caudata; DIMORFISMO SEXUAL; DIMORPHISME SEXUEL; ESTRUCTURA POR EDADES; Females; growth coefficient; Hynobius; Males; REPARTITION DES AGES; SEXUAL DIMORPHISM; skeletochronology; Studies; Urodela; 생물학; Japan
• ISSN: 1976-8354; 2151-2485
• DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2010.525810

We studied and compared the age structure, body size, and growth rates of field populations of two Korean salamander species (Hynobius yangi and Hynobius quelpaertensis) to elucidate important aspects of basic population dynamics of these two endemic Hynobius species. In both populations, females were sexually mature at three years of age, while H. yangi and H. quelpaertensis males matured at two and three years of age, respectively. Both males and females of H. yangi and H. quelpaertensis attained a maximum age of 11 years and 10 years, respectively[0]. In both species, the snout-vent length (SVL) and body weight (BW) of the females were greater than those of the males. The SVL, BW, and asymptotic SVL of both male and female H. yangi were smaller than those of H. quelpaertensis. The adult growth rates after sexual maturation of male and female H. yangi were lower than those of H. quelpaertensis, possibly resulting in the smaller body size of the former, although overall growth coefficients were not significantly different between the two species. We also compared the age structure and growth rates of three Korean and three Japanese species of Hynobius.