Age structure and body size of Southern Banded Newts, Ommatotriton vittatus (Gray, 1835), in a pristine pond in the coastal mountains of Lattakia, Syria

Abstract

The Southern Banded Newt (Ommatotriton vittatus) is widely distributed across Syria, yet its demographic and life-history traits remain largely unexplored. This study provides the first skeletochronological assessment of Ommatotriton vittatus in Syria, focusing on age structure, growth, and sexual maturity, using a dataset of thirty-six individuals (15 males, 21 females). Maximum ages reached seven years in males and eight years in females, although the age distribution did not differ significantly between sexes. Mean snout–vent lengths were 62.2 mm and 58.0 mm, for males and females respectively, with males being significantly larger. Both sexes attained sexual maturity at two years, a markedly earlier age than reported for other Ommatotriton populations. This accelerated development likely reflects favourable environmental conditions and high habitat quality at the study site. The findings establish the first demographic baseline for O. vittatus in Syria and contribute to understanding how local ecological factors shape amphibian life-history strategies in the eastern Mediterranean region.