Study on Life History Strategies of Anurans in Tropical Rainforest: Lifespan and Age at Sexual Maturity

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the life history strategies of tropical anurans on Hainan Island, focusing on lifespan and age at sexual maturity. Seven common species from Diaoluoshan National Forest Park were examined, including Duttaphrynus melanostictus , Amolops torrentis , Odorrana graminea , Odorrana hainanensis , Polypedates megacephalus , Kurixalus odontotarsus , and Fejervarya multistriata . Significant interspecific variation was observed in lifespan and age at sexual maturity. Most species, including D. melanostictus , A. torrentis , O. graminea , P. megacephalus , K. odontotarsus , and F. multistriata , reach sexual maturity at 3 years old, with lifespans ranging from 5 to 9 years. Species such as O. hainanensis matured later, at 4 years old, and exhibited longer lifespans. The study also revealed distinct life history strategies, with most species allocating approximately 50% of their lifespan to growth and 50% to reproduction. However, species like A. torrentis and K. odontotarsus devote 60% of their lifespan to growth, while O. hainanensis allocates 56% of its lifespan to reproduction. These strategies reflect adaptations to the stable climatic conditions of tropical rainforests, where resources are abundant and predation pressure is lower, allowing for slow‐life history strategies. These findings provide valuable insights into the adaptive strategies of tropical amphibians and underscore the importance of stable tropical environments in shaping their life history evolution. The results also contribute to amphibian conservation strategies and ecological management in tropical rainforest ecosystems.