Studies On Life History Of Odorrana Schmackeriin In Nanzhao County Of Henan Province

Odorrana schmackeri(Ranidae) is widely distributed in China and was discovered in several provinces and Funiu Mountain. The studied population of O. schmackeri was located at Nanzhao(33°30′N, 111°59′E, 600 m elevation), north Henan, central China.In the breeding seasons of 2012-2014, we caught frogs by hand when walking along the banks during nighttime when the frogs were active. The reproductive ecology and the population age structure as well as population density of O. schmackeri were studied by us.The number of O. schmackeri were estimated by mark-recapture method and the mechanism underlying their sexual dimorphism were discussed based on the measurement and the analysis of 32 morphological variables of the adults of O. schmackeri. The age of sexual maturity, lifespan, and the relationship between age and body length were analyzed by skeletochronolgy. The morphological differences between different sexes and the differences between the body size and age among the female and male individuals were discussed with independent-Samples T-test analysis. The relationship between the temperature, humidity and the number of O. schmackeri activity, the relationship between the female cluth size and egg diameter and the relationship between the female body size(length and weight) and cluth size were investigated with linear regression analysis. In addition, the differences between the other 31 morphological characteristics and the relationship between the age and body length among the female and male individuals were compared based on the analysis of covariance and the Spearman’s correlation coefficient, respectively. We summarize the results as follows:1. Population density of O. schmackeri in Henan province varied widely from 2012 to 2014, respectively 20~35, 135~260, 630~1352.2. The species can be classified as an explosive breeder with its breeding season from later July to early-August.3. The mean clutch size and the mean egg diameter of O. schmackeri is 1163 and 2.84 mm, respectively. There is no negative relationship between clutch size and egg size.4. The body size of males O. schmackeri averaged 43.2 ? 1.7 mm, and females 76.6 ? 3.1 mm, the former being significantly smaller than the latter.5. There was a positive correlation between female body size and cluth size.6. The size-assortative mating was not found in this population, but the males with robust forelimb muscles have an advantage in male-male competition.7. Age determination by skeletochronoly was successfully applied in O. schmackeri. The youngest adult individuals were 2 and 3 yr in male and female, respectively. Mean adult female age 4.5 yr, and the age at longevity observed was 7 yr; Mean adult male age was 3.8 yr, and the age at longevity observed was 6 yr.