Age and growth of the common wall lizard, Podarcis muralis (Laurenti, 1768)

Abstract

Abstract The present study was designed to compare the life history traits of two Podarcis muralis populations located at sites of different elevation. The age at maturity was similar in both populations, whereas longevity was found to be lower in the lowland one (Dereköy). The males and females of both populations had a similar snout-vent length (SVL) and mean age. Sexual size dimorphism (SSD) was weak in the highland population, males being slightly larger than females, whereas a strong male-biased SSD was observed in the lowland one. The growth coefficient (k) and growth rates were similar in both populations. This study indicates that the age at maturation (2-3 years) and growth rates (2.37 mm/year) are similar in two populations of P. muralis exposed to different climatic and environmental conditions. Longevity was slightly higher in the highland population (16 years) compared to the lowland one (14 years).