Growth in a population of Liolaemus wiegmannii (Squamata: Tropiduridae) in central Argentina

Abstract

Size frequencies in a population of the lizard Liolaemus wiegmannii were determined throughout the year, to evaluate the effects of recruitment and mortality on the population structure, and to estimate the daily growth rate and its variation. The cycle started in spring when most of the lizards had reached reproductive size, in December eggs were laid and the new lizards were born in January. This cohort grew rapidly and reached adult size in late March, while the postreproductive cohort died in late fall. The differences between growth rates during the year are due to the seasons and the size of the lizards during the period.