Age Structure, Growth, and Reproduction of the Twin-Striped Skink (Ablepharus bivittatus, Reptilia, Scincidae) in the Talysh Mountains (Ardabil Province, Iran).

The age, growth, and fertility of two populations of Ablepharus bivittatus in the Talysh Mountains are presented. Altogether, 59 individuals were studied from two localities in the Ardabil Province, Iran, one being the village of Khanegah-e-Oliya in Namin region and the other the village of Majara in Khalkhal region. The age of the lizards was determined using skeletochronology. The average age in females was 3.6 ± 1.15 years (maximum of six years), in males 2.6 ± 1.24 (maximum of five years). The sections of tubular bones of many individuals were noted to have lines of arrested growth corresponding to hibernation and aestivation. Lizards grow intensely during the first three years of life, but then their growth slows down. Animals in the age groups of three years and older do not differ in body length. The age of pregnant lizards is 2–5 years, on average, 3.7 ± 0.91 years. The fertility of females does not depend on age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]