Reconstruction of the life history traits in the giant salamander Aviturus exsecratus (Caudata, Cryptobranchidae) from the Paleocene of Mongolia using zygapophyseal skeletochronology Article Swipe
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· 2018
· Open Access
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· DOI: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.7211840.v1
· OA: W4394469202
Here we describe life history traits in the giant cryptobranchid salamander <i>Aviturus exsecratus</i> from the Paleocene of Mongolia using non-destructive approach for skeletochronological analysis based on the counting of cyclical growth rings on articular surfaces of zygapophyseal processes of vertebrae (= zygapophyseal skeletochronology). We found that <i>Aviturus exsecratus</i> had a similar time of the attainment of sexual maturity and decreasing of juvenile growth (5–8 years) and estimated body size at maturity (50–60% of the maximum size) as modern cryptobranchids. Maximum longevity estimated for <i>A. exsecratus</i> is about 25 years. <i>A. exsecratus</i> had a developmental trajectory similar to that of modern cryptobranchids and is not characterized by extended ontogeny. <b>Abbreviation:</b> PIN: Paleontological Institute; Russian Academy of Sciences; Moscow; Russia.
