Abstract
Age estimation and growth were studied in a population of Ophisops elegans in the Kermanshah region, Iran, by skeletochronology. Age was determined for individual lizards by counting the number of lines of arrested growth (LAG) in cross-sections taken from femoral bones. According to data provided here, the maximum life span of females and males was 5 and 4 years, respectively. The average longevity of males was 2.15 years and 2.20 years for females. The mean snout-vent length (SVL) of specimens collected from this region was 48.75 mm with no significant difference between males and females. Based on the information provided here and by other workers, we concluded that the LAG observed in this specific taxon is the result of hibernation. Other environmental factors such as feeding and prey availability do not have any effect on the production of the LAG.
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