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77
GROWTH RAIE OF CAIMAN (Caiman crocodihu yacare) tN THE
PANTANAL WETLAND, BRAZIL
Coutinho*, M.E., Mourao*, G.M., Campos, Z.M.da S., Pinheiro, M.S-ald
Abercrombie**, C.L.
*
Laboratodo de Vida Selvagem, EMBRAPA"/Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuaria
do Pantanal, CxP 109, 79300, Corurnba, MS, Brazil
Box 13, Wofford College, Spartanburg, South Carolina 29303, USA.
Growth rate of Caimatr (Caiman crocodilus yacale) was studied at Nhumirim ranch.
southern Pantanal, Brazil. Animals were captured or recaptured from January 1987
to September 1990. The integrated form of Von Bertalanf!'s rnodel was used to
derive growth paramete$. Effects of ninfall, sex, year of capture and site on gro*.th
rates of small (< 25 SVL) and large (> 25 SVL) were tested. crowth mtes of small
individuals showed a high variability around ihe Von Bertalanffy's curye and were
affected by year of capture and site. Large animals €xhibited a more definite pattern
of linear decrease ilr growth rates and were less affected by etvironmental factors.