Abstract
Skeletochronological techniques were used to examine age and growth in adult spiny softshell turtles {Apalone spiniferd) from northeastern Arkansas. The diaphyseal region offemurs of 24 specimens (8 mars mars; 16 venus venus) was excised, decalcified in weak hydrochloric acid, and histologically prepared for light microscopy. Skeletal growth was determined from histosectioned bones by measuring femur diameters as well as by counting lines of arrested growth (LAGs) that appear between distinct periosteal layers (marks of skeletal growth =MSGs) laid down during a single growing season. Although significant positive correlations were found between carapace length (CL) and femur diameter in both males and females (r= 0.75; 0.92, respectively), correlation coefficients generated between CL and LAGs (r= 0.30; 0.45, respectively) were not significant. Sources of variation in counts of LAGs include endosteal resorption and remodeling, the lack of visible growth layers, the presence of accessory LAGs, and the compaction of MSGs; this variability introduces sampling error and diminishes the value of this technique as a method of aging adult softshell turtles.
Recommended Citation
Trauth, Stanley E. and Worley, Hilary J.
(1997)
"Skeletochronological Study of Adult Spiny Softshell Turtles (Apalone spinifera) from Northeastern Arkansas,"
Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science: Vol. 51, Article 26.
Available at:
https://scholarworks.uark.edu/jaas/vol51/iss1/26
