Age of Bufo bufo in Amplexus over the Spawning Period

Abstract

Using skelettochronology the age of paired Bufo bufo L. at different dates in the spawning period was determined. Female toads appear to attain maturity at a more advanced age than male toads and are, on the average, older too. During the period in which pairs were formed and spawning took place, neither the mean age nor the mean length of male and female toads in amplexus did change. Mate selection based on age or length could not be established either. Although considerable overlap exists, the length of the male and female toads increases with increasing age. At any age adult female toads are bigger than adult male toads.