Growth in a cold environment: body size and sexual maturity in a northern population of spotted turtles, Clemmys guttata

摘要: Using mark-recapture data collected from 1978 to 1997, we examined growth rates, adult body size, and age size at sexual maturity of spotted turtles (Clemmys guttata) in a northern temperate climate. Relative instantaneous rate analyses indicated that rates were inversely related individual variation was high, females males did not differ with respect rates. Growth our described well by both the von Bertalanffy logistic models, although model provided slightly better fit data. Asymptotic sizes intrinsic factors between sexes. Northern reach larger mean relative southern populations. Turtles sexually dimorphic carapace length; however, plastron length greater than males. Sexual reached (a approximately 103 mm for female...