Analyzing the Life History of Caimans: The Growth Dynamics of Caiman latirostris From an Osteohistological Approach.

Skeletochronology and growth dynamics are intensively investigated in vertebrate osteohistology. These techniques are particularly important for interpreting the life history of long-lived species, such as crocodilians. To understand the longevity, growth dynamics, sexual maturity, and sexual dimorphism of caimans we studied an almost complete ontogenetic series of captive and wild specimens of Caiman latirostris from different localities of Argentina.