Demographic life-history traits in two populations of Cyrtopodion scabrum (Squamata: Gekkonidae)

Abstract

In the present study, some demographic life-history parameters (e.g., age structure, age upon attaining sexual maturity, longevity, adult life expectancy, growth, and survival rate) and body size were investigated for the first time in two populations (urban and rural populations) of the rough bent-toed gecko, Cyrtopodion scabrum. A total of 69 (26 males, 30 females, and 13 juveniles) C. scabrum individuals were studied. Our findings indicated that age upon attaining sexual maturity was 2 and 3 years in both sexes. The maximum longevity was 7 years in females and 6 years in males. We did not find a remarkable difference in body size between females and males. When comparing both populations, neither male and female urban individuals nor both individuals together were significantly different from their counterparts from the rural population with respect to the average age and body size. The body size markedly increased with age in both males and females.