Information Package / Course Catalogue
Age Determination in Amphibians and Reptiles
Course Code: BİO556
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 2
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 8
Objectives of the Course

The aim of this course is to teach age determination methods in amphibians and reptiles, their advantages and disadvantages, and skeletochronological method in practical.

Course Content

Life history characteristics of amphibians and reptiles (turtles, lizards and snakes), age determination methods, skeletochronology and its application in age determination, difficulties encountered in practical skeletochronology, determination of age compositions and longevities in different amphibian and reptile populations

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Nazan ÜZÜM
Learning Outcomes
1.Recognizes general characteristics of amphibians and reptiles.
2.Understands the life history traits of amphibians and reptiles.
3.Analyzes age determination methods in amphibians.
4.Defines age determination methods in reptiles.
5.Applies the skeletochronological method and fulfills individual age determination
6.Determines age compositions in different amphibian and reptile populations, and analyzes their life history traits like age of maturity and longevity.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Smirina, E. (1994): Age Determination and Longevity in Amphibians
2.Castanet, J. and Smirina, E. (1990): Introduction to Skeletochronological Method in Amphibians and Reptiles
3.Zug, G. (1991): Age Determination in Turtles
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical & Practice
General characteristics of amphibians and reptiles
Week 2 - Theoretical & Practice
Life history characteristics of amphibians
Week 3 - Theoretical & Practice
Life history characteristics of reptiles
Week 4 - Theoretical & Practice
Age determination methods: captive breeding, mark-release-recapture
Week 5 - Theoretical & Practice
Age determination methods: using measures of size for age determination, skeletochronology
Week 6 - Theoretical & Practice
Using skeletochronology in age determination, difficulties encountered in practical skeletochronology
Week 7 - Theoretical & Practice
Age determination in urodeles
Week 8 - Theoretical & Practice
Age determination in anurans (Midterm exam)
Week 9 - Theoretical & Practice
Age determination in turtles
Week 10 - Theoretical & Practice
Age determination in lizards
Week 11 - Theoretical & Practice
Age determination in snakes
Week 12 - Theoretical & Practice
Determination of age compositions in amphibian and reptile populations
Week 13 - Theoretical & Practice
Determination of life history traits like age of maturity, longevity in populations
Week 14 - Theoretical & Practice
Data analysis methods used in age determination
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%70
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140228
Lecture - Practice140228
Reading140228
Individual Work140456
Midterm Examination123225
Final Examination133235
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)200
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
OÇ-1
3
5
3
5
2
3
5
2
2
2
OÇ-2
OÇ-3
OÇ-4
2
5
2
5
2
5
2
5
2
5
OÇ-5
OÇ-6
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026