Longevity, demography and sex-specific growth of the Pampa de Achala Toad,Bufo achalensis CEI, 1972

The demography and life history parameters of the neotropical Bufo achalens is, an endemic toad of the Pampa de Achala, Sierras Grandes de Cordoba, Arg entina, were studied in 13 activity periods between 1970/71 and 1998/99. We used phalange bones for skeletochronological age estimation and to assess annual growth rates in 243 individuals. Maximum longevity was I I years, an d sexual maturity was attained at an age of 2-4 years. Reproductive females were on average 4-8 nun smaller than males of the same age. There is no in dication that the population of B. achalensis is declining as observed in s everal neotropical amphibian species.