The Herpetological Journal

pp.137-140

Authors: Paul A. Verrell

Abstract: Growth during the aquatic phase of the annual cycle (measured as change in snout-vent length) was investigated in a natural population of smooth newts (Triturus vu!garis) at a pond in southern England in 1 983. Two types of data were collected: growth at the population level (quantified as changes in mean snout-vent length) and growth in individual, recaptured newts. For the population as a whole, significant growth was detected during the aquatic phase. At the level of individual newts, rate of growth during this period was negatively correlated with snout-vent length at entry to the pond; such a relationship is common in the Amphibia. The average growth rate of adult newts observed during the present field study (1.1-1.5mm) agrees closely with an independent estimate (about 1.5mm) obtained during a previous, skeletochronological investigation (Verrell and Francillon, 1986).