DOCSLIB.ORG

TESTUDINIDAE Geochelone Chilensis

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text

Load more

n REPTILIA: TESTUDINES: TESTUDINIDAE Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles. Ernst, C.H. 1998. Geochelone chilensis. Geochelone chilensis (Gray) Chaco Tortoise Testudo (Gopher) chilensis Gray 1870a: 190. Type locality, "Chili [Chile, South America]. " Restricted to Mendoza. Ar- gentina by Boulenger (1 889) without explanation (see Com- ments). Syntypes, Natural History Museum. London (BMNH), 1947.3.5.8-9, two stuffed juveniles; specimens missing as of August 1998 (fide C.J. McCarthy and C.H. Ernst, see Comments)(not examined by author). Testudo orgentinu Sclater 1870:47 1. See Comments. Testrrdo chilensis: Philippi 1872:68. Testrrrlo (Pamparestrrdo) chilensis: Lindholm 1929:285. Testucin (Chelonoidis) chilensis: Williams 1 950:22. Geochelone chilensis: Williams 1960: 10. First use of combina- tion. Geochelone (Che1onoide.r) chilensis: Auffenberg 197 1 : 1 10. Geochelone donosoharro.si Freiberg 1973533. Type locality, "San Antonio [Oeste], Rio Negro [Province, Argentina]." Ho- lotype, U.S. Natl. Mus. (USNM) 192961, adult male. col- lected by S. Narosky. 22 April 1971 (examined by author). Geochelone petersi Freibeg 197386. Type locality. "Kishka, La Banda. Santiago del Estero [Province, Argentina]." Ho- lotype, USNM 192959. subadult male, collected by J.J. Mar- n cos, 5 May 197 1 (examined by author). Geochelone ootersi: Freiberzm 1973:9 1. E-r errore. Geochelone (Chelonoidis) d1ilensi.s: Auffenberg 1974: 148. MAP. The circle marks the type locality; dots indicate other selected Geochelone ckilensis chilensis: Pritchard 1979:334. records: stars indicate fossil records. Geochelone ckilensis donosoburro.si: Pritchard 1979:335. Chelorroidis chilensis: Bour 1980:546. Geocheloni perersi: Freibeg 1984:30: growth annuli surround the slightly raised vertebral and pleural Chelorioidis donosoharrosi: Cei 1986: 148. areolae. Each side usually has I1 maginals. A single, undi- Chelonoidis perersi: Cei 1986: 148. vided supracaudal scute which is downturned between the pos- terior marginals is present. The well-developed plastron has a CONTENT. No subspecies are recognized. See Comments. deep anal notch. Its forelobe tapers toward the front. and the paired gulars may be slightly divided anteriorly by a notch. The DEFINITION. Adults are 18.0-43.3 cm (greatest known forelobe is longer but slightly narrower than the hindlobe. The length of male, 23.3 cm) in straight carapace length. The oval average plastral formula is: abd > hum >< fem > gul > pect >< carapace is flattened dorsally with descending sides, a cervical an; the paired gulars are thick and do not project much beyond indentation, and a serrated posterior marginal rim. The poste- the anterior rim of the carapace. The bridge is long with an rior marginals are slightly upturned, and no cervical scute is axillary about half as large as the inguinal. The anterior surface present. The first vertebral scute is usually broader than long or of each foreleg is covered with large, angular scales which may its width is at least equal to its length. Other vertebrals are or may not slightly overlap. Several enlarged tubercles occur broader than long, with the fifth laterally flared. Well-defined on each thigh, and the tail ends in an enlarged scale. Like other I;I(;URE. Geoch~,lot~erhilensis (photographs by Jay C. ShaI'lCl-). Geochelone, this species has 52 chromosomes (Bickham and (1982), and Pacheco and Aparicio (1996) for which no speci- Carr 1983). mens are available. Discussions of distribution are in Cei and The carapace may be either totally yellowish-brown or have Castro (1978), Chebez (1994), Laurent and Teran (1 98 I), Lavilla dark-brown or black growth annuli surrounding tan areolae, and and Sirocchi (1991), Ormeiio (1 983), Orrego Arevena (1971, a dark wedge of pigment at the posterior seam of each mar- 1979), Pa~~ll(1983), Richard (1990a, 1990b), Richard et al. ginal. Many Patagonian individuals have dark or dark-ringed (1990), and Scott and Lovett (1975). Distribution maps are in areolae that contrast with the remainder of the cara~acialscutes. Auffenberg (I 969), Buskirk (1993), Cei (1986, 1993), Iverson The plastron varies from uniformly yellow-brown to having a (1986,1992), Pacheco and Aparicio (1 996), Paull(1983), Rich- dark triangular wedge along the seams of each scute. The head ard and de la Fuente (1992b), Walker (1989), Waller (1997), is moderate in size with a short snout and a hooked, bi- or tri- and Waller and Micucci (1 997). Bonin et al. (1996), presum- cuspid upper jaw. The large prefrontal scale is divided longitu- ably by mistake, included a small portion of Brazil. dinally and followed by a large frontal scale which may be ei- ther entire or subdivided; other head scales are small. Head, FOSSIL RECORD. Auffenberg (1971) reported that the limbs, and tail are yellowish-brown. Miocene species Geochelone gringorum (= Testudo gringorum The sexes are difficult to distinguish, but males are smaller Simpson 1942) from the Chubut Valley of Patagonian Argen- and have slightly longer tails. Old males are slate gray with tina is closely related to G. chilensis. He based this on its de- large heads and very enlarged, even columnar antebrachial pressed carapace, which has a round outline when viewed from scales; females and juveniles have apposed, pointed, antebra- above, its slightly bifurcated epiplastron, and its proportionately chial scales (Buskirk 1993). Only male forelimb scales darken long anal scute. Because its holotype (American Museum of and hypertrophy. The interhumeral seam of adult males is more Natural History 3366) can only be separated from G. chilensis than half the length of the interabdominal seam, that of females by its thicker xiphiplastron, Auffenberg (1971) thought may be twice as long. gringorum ancestral to chilensis. He also reported that a group of Plio-Pleistocene tortoise fossils from western Argentina bridge DESCRIPTIONS. General descriptions are in Belmonte the temporal and minor morphological gaps between the Mi- (1991), Boulenger (1889), Buskirk (1 993), Cei (1 986), Chebez ocene G. gringorum and extant G. chilensis, and 1aterAuffenberg (1994), Ernst and Barbour ( 1989), Freiberg (1 938, 197 1, 1973, (1974) referred to these fossils as G. chilensis. De la Fuente 1974, 1981, 1984), Gray (1 870c,d, 1872, 1873), G. Muller and Cabrera ( 1988) reported fossil remains from the Sierra Chica, (1987), Miiller and Hellmich (1936), Paull (1983), Pritchard Cordoba Province, Argentina, and Alderton (1988) reported (1967a, 1979), Siebenrock (1909, 19 12), and Williams (1960). Pleistocene fossils. Other descriptions are as follows: egg and hatchling (Belmonte 199 l), skull (Crumly 1982), shell osteology (Auffenberg 197 1 ), PERTINENT LITERATURE. General accounts are in wrist and forehand bones (Auffenberg 1966), pancreas (Serma Alderton (1988), Auffenberg (1969), Bonin et al. (1 996), Briiner de Esteban 1961), and habitat (Auffenberg and Iverson 1979, (1953), Cei (1986, 1993), Chebez (1994), Emst and Barbour Richard and de la Fuente 1992a). (1989), Fernandez (I 983), Ferrari (l983), Freiberg (1954,1967, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1981, 1984), Gallardo (1974, 1977), ILLUSTRATIONS. Color illustrations of adults are in Bonin Groombridge (1982), Gruss and Waller (1986), Krieg (1951), et al. (1996), Cei (1993), Freiberg (1981), G. Muller (1987), G. Muller ( 1987), N. Muller ( 1987), Orrego Aravena ( 197 I), Pritchard (1967a, 1979), and Rogner (1996). Black and white Pacheco and Aparicio (1996), Philippi (I 872), Pritchard (1967a, photographs or drawings of adults or shells are in Auffenberg 1979), Rogner (1996), Rottman (1969), Rust (1938), Walker (1969), Belmonte (1991), Buskirk (1993), Chebez (1994), (1 989), Waller et al. (1989), and Wermuth (1 967). Other papers Crumly (1989), Ernst and Barbour (1989), Freiberg (1967,1971, are listed by topic as follows: evolution and relationships (Bour 1972, 1973, 1974, 1981, 1984), Muller and Hellmich (1936), 1985; Coto Rojas and Acuiia Mesen 1986; Crumly 1982; Marlow Paull (1983), Rust (1938), Waller (1997), Waller and Micucci and Patton 1981; Williams 1950, 1952, 1960), taxonomy (1 997), Wermuth and Mertens (1 96 l), and Williams (1 960). (Buskirk 1993; Crumly 1988; David 1994; Gray 1870b, 187 1, Hatchlings or juveniles were illustrated in black and white by 1873; Mertens and Wermuth 1955; Miiller and Hellmich 1936; Belmonte (1991), Buskirk (1993), and Freiberg (1971, 1972). Pritchard 1979; Pritchard and Trebbau 1984; Sclater 1870; Eggs were shown by Belmonte (1991) andFreiberg (1981). The Wermuth and Mertens 196 1, 1977), rostra1 pores (Winokur and skull was illustrated in Cei (1986). Bones and scales of the Legler 1974), mental glands (Winokur and Legler 1975), brain shell were illustrated by Cei (1986), Freiberg (1 938, 198 I), chemistry (Juorio 1969), olfaction (Trapani et al. 1977), adre- Siebenrock (I 9 12), and Wermuth and Mertens ( I96 1). Belmonte nal gland (Jones 1957), clitoris (Obst 1986), pancreas (Serma (199 1 ) included a drawing of the foreleg, and Auffenberg (1 966) de Esteban 1961), blood (Rabito et al. 1972; Troiano and Vautier presented a drawing of the wrist and forehand bones. Auffenberg 1986), renin-angiotensin system (Noll y and Fasciolo 1972), (1969) showed the habitat. The burrow or pallet were illus- life history (Wilbur and Morin 1988), reproduction (Buskirk trated by Auffenberg (1969) and Waller and Micucci (1997). 1993, Paull 1983), courtship (Buskirk 1993, Fernandez and Food plants were pictured by Waller and Micucci (1997). Charts Basso 1992), vocalizations (Fernandez and Basso 1992),
Recommended publications
  • The Conservation Biology of Tortoises

    The Conservation Biology of Tortoises

    The Conservation Biology of Tortoises Edited by Ian R. Swingland and Michael W. Klemens IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group and The Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) No. 5 IUCN—The World Conservation Union IUCN Species Survival Commission Role of the SSC 3. To cooperate with the World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMC) The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is IUCN's primary source of the in developing and evaluating a data base on the status of and trade in wild scientific and technical information required for the maintenance of biological flora and fauna, and to provide policy guidance to WCMC. diversity through the conservation of endangered and vulnerable species of 4. To provide advice, information, and expertise to the Secretariat of the fauna and flora, whilst recommending and promoting measures for their con- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna servation, and for the management of other species of conservation concern. and Flora (CITES) and other international agreements affecting conser- Its objective is to mobilize action to prevent the extinction of species, sub- vation of species or biological diversity. species, and discrete populations of fauna and flora, thereby not only maintain- 5. To carry out specific tasks on behalf of the Union, including: ing biological diversity but improving the status of endangered and vulnerable species. • coordination of a programme of activities for the conservation of biological diversity within the framework of the IUCN Conserva- tion Programme. Objectives of the SSC • promotion of the maintenance of biological diversity by monitor- 1.
  • Aldabrachelys Arnoldi (Bour 1982) – Arnold's Giant Tortoise

    Aldabrachelys Arnoldi (Bour 1982) – Arnold's Giant Tortoise

    Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation ProjectTestudinidae of the IUCN/SSC — AldabrachelysTortoise and Freshwater arnoldi Turtle Specialist Group 028.1 A.G.J. Rhodin, P.C.H. Pritchard, P.P. van Dijk, R.A. Saumure, K.A. Buhlmann, J.B. Iverson, and R.A. Mittermeier, Eds. Chelonian Research Monographs (ISSN 1088-7105) No. 5, doi:10.3854/crm.5.028.arnoldi.v1.2009 © 2009 by Chelonian Research Foundation • Published 18 October 2009 Aldabrachelys arnoldi (Bour 1982) – Arnold’s Giant Tortoise JUSTIN GERLACH 1 1133 Cherry Hinton Road, Cambridge CB1 7BX, United Kingdom [[email protected]] SUMMARY . – Arnold’s giant tortoise, Aldabrachelys arnoldi (= Dipsochelys arnoldi) (Family Testudinidae), from the granitic Seychelles, is a controversial species possibly distinct from the Aldabra giant tortoise, A. gigantea (= D. dussumieri of some authors). The species is a morphologi- cally distinctive morphotype, but has so far not been genetically distinguishable from the Aldabra tortoise, and is considered synonymous with that species by many researchers. Captive reared juveniles suggest that there may be a genetic basis for the morphotype and more detailed genetic work is needed to elucidate these relationships. The species is the only living saddle-backed tortoise in the Seychelles islands. It was apparently extirpated from the wild in the 1800s and believed to be extinct until recently purportedly rediscovered in captivity. The current population of this morphotype is 23 adults, including 18 captive adult males on Mahé Island, 5 adults recently in- troduced to Silhouette Island, and one free-ranging female on Cousine Island. Successful captive breeding has produced 138 juveniles to date.
  • (Geochelone Pardalis) on Farmland in the Nama-Karoo

    (Geochelone Pardalis) on Farmland in the Nama-Karoo

    THE STATUS AND ECOLOGY OF THE LEOPARD TORTOISE (GEOCHELONE PARDALIS) ON FARMLAND IN THE NAMA-KAROO MEGAN KAY McMASTER Submitted in fulfilment ofthe academic requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE School ofBotany and Zoology University ofNatal Pieterrnaritzburg March 2001 Preface The experimental work described in this dissertation was carried out in the School of Botany and Zoology, University ofNatal, Pietermaritzburg, from November 1997 to March 2001, under the supervision ofDr. Colleen T. Downs. This study is the original work ofthe author and has not been submitted in any form for any diploma or degree to another university. Where use has been made ofthe work of others, it is duly acknowledged in the text. Each chapter is written in the format ofthe journal it has been submitted to. ..fj~K'. Megan Kay McMaster Pietermaritzburg March 2001 11 This thesis is dedicated to myfather, the late Eric Ralph McMaster, for his constant encouragement and beliefin me, and to my brother, the late Gregory CIifton McMaster,for always making me smile. III Abstract The Family Testudinidae (Suborder Cryptodira) is represented by 40 species worldwide and reaches its greatest diversity in southern Africa, where 14 species occur (33%), ten of which are endemic to the subcontinent. Despite the strong representation ofterrestrial tortoise species in southern Africa, and the importance ofthe Karoo as a centre of endemism ofthese tortoise species, there is a paucity ofecological information for most tortoise species in South Africa. With chelonians being protected in < 15% ofall southern African reserves it is necessary to find out more about the ecological requirements, status, population dynamics and threats faced by South African tortoise species to enable the formulation ofeffective conservation measures.
  • Keeping and Breeding Leopard Tortoises (Geochelone Pardalis)

    Keeping and Breeding Leopard Tortoises (Geochelone Pardalis)

    Keeping and breeding Leopard Tortoises Keeping and breeding Leopard Tortoises (Geochelone pardalis). Part 1. Egg-laying, incubation, and care of hatchlings ROBERT BUSTARD HIS captive-breeding/husbandry article on a length of about 15cm (6"). At this time they will Tvery beautiful — indeed magnificent-looking court females assiduously. Females are — tortoise, resulted from a discussion at Council considerably larger, however, before they in October 2001 on the inadequate number of commence breeding with the result that these practical articles on keeping the various species of newly sexually mature males have trouble in reptiles and amphibians being submitted to The mounting them successfully. Although female Herpetological Bulletin. I at once had a `whip leopards take on average a couple of years longer round' getting everyone present to undertake to than males to reach sexual maturity, size/weight is write an article on some topic of their competence. always a much more reliable guide than age in I then asked Council what they wanted me to reptiles and females can be expected to commence write. I think it was Barry Pomfret who actually breeding around a weight of 8kg. `roped me in' for this topic as he said there were a Because of the leopards' highly-domed lot of people keeping 'leopards' these days. Partly carapace males need to be sufficiently large to be I was to blame, as I had said that they were able to successfully mount any given female. `boring', and didn't do much and — insult of Enthusiasm is not enough! As is common in insults — that one would be as good with some tortoises, optimistic males will usually select the garden gnome leopards as with the real thing! largest female on offer.
  • ECUADOR – Galapagos Giant Tortoises Stolen From

    ECUADOR – Galapagos Giant Tortoises Stolen From

    CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA NOTIFICATION TO THE PARTIES No. 2018/076 Geneva, 30 October 2018 CONCERNING: ECUADOR Galapagos giant tortoises stolen from breeding center 1. This Notification is being published at the request of Ecuador. 2. The CITES Management Authority of Ecuador informed the Secretariat that on 27 September 2018, the Galapagos National Park Directorate filed a criminal complaint in Ecuador following the theft of 123 live Galapagos giant tortoises (Chelonoidis niger) from the Galapagos National Park breeding center on Isabela Island. 3. The Galapagos giant tortoise (Chelonoidis niger1) is included in CITES Appendix I. 4. The stolen tortoises range from one to six years in age. One-year-old Galapagos giant tortoises may be around six centimetres in carapace length and weigh an estimated 200 grams. A six-year-old Galapagos giant tortoise could range from 12 to 30 centimetres in carapace length, and weigh around two kilograms. 5. The likely market for the stolen specimens is outside of Ecuador, and the CITES Management Authority of Ecuador therefore requests that the present Notification be distributed as widely as possible among police, customs and wildlife enforcement authorities. 6. Parties are requested to inform the CITES Management Authority of Ecuador should any permits or certificates regarding trade in these specimens be received. The Management Authority of Ecuador also requests that CITES Management Authorities do not approve any export, import or re-export permit applications related to this species before consulting with the CITES Management Authority of Ecuador. 7. Parties that seize illegally traded specimens of Chelonoidis niger are also requested to communicate information about these seizures to the Management Authority of Ecuador.
  • Evolution and the Galápagos Tortoise

    Evolution and the Galápagos Tortoise

    Connected Experience: Evolution and the Galápagos Tortoise GRADE LEVELS 6th-8th; California Content Standards for 7th and High School Biology SUBJECTS Life Sciences DURATION Pre-Visit: 30 minutes Academy: 15 minutes Post-Visit: 15 minutes SETTING Classroom; Islands of Evolution exhibit at the Academy Objectives Students will: 1. learn how natural selection played a role in the diversification of tortoises on the Galápagos Islands. 2. collect data on Galápagos tortoise morphology of specimens on display at the museum. 3. connect a tortoise’s physical adaptations with the island habitat most likely to support it Materials world map or globe tortoise and habitat visual aids, printed on paper or overhead transparencies Galápagos Tortoises museum worksheet (one per student) pencils and writing surfaces Vocabulary adaptation: a particular structure or behavior that helps an organism survive better in its habitat natural selection: a process by which individuals that are better adapted to their environment are more likely to survive and reproduce than others of the same species evolution: the gradual change in a species over time Teacher Background The Galápagos Islands and their Tortoise Residents The Galápagos Islands are an archipelago consisting of sixteen volcanic islands located 600 miles west of Ecuador in the Pacific Ocean. They formed about 4 million years ago when a series of underwater volcanoes erupted, spewing up magma that cooled to form the cone-shaped islands. When the islands first formed they were devoid of life, but over time animal and plant species colonized them, producing the ecological communities that exist there today. Colonization of the islands took place over time by several modes of transportation.
  • Giant Tortoises with Pinta Island Ancestry Identified In

    Giant Tortoises with Pinta Island Ancestry Identified In

    Biological Conservation 157 (2013) 225–228 Contents lists available at SciVerse ScienceDirect Biological Conservation journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/biocon Short communication The genetic legacy of Lonesome George survives: Giant tortoises with Pinta Island ancestry identified in Galápagos a, a a,b c d Danielle L. Edwards ⇑, Edgar Benavides , Ryan C. Garrick , James P. Gibbs , Michael A. Russello , Kirstin B. Dion a, Chaz Hyseni a, Joseph P. Flanagan e, Washington Tapia f, Adalgisa Caccone a a Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA b Department of Biology, University of Mississippi, MS 38677, USA c College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY 13210, USA d Department of Biology, University of British Columbia, Okanagan Campus, Kelowna, BC, Canada V1V 1V7 e Houston Zoo, Houston, TX 77030, USA f Galápagos National Park Service, Puerto Ayora, Galápagos, Ecuador article info abstract Article history: The death of Lonesome George, the last known purebred individual of Chelonoidis abingdoni native to Received 22 August 2012 Pinta Island, marked the extinction of one of 10 surviving giant tortoise species from the Galápagos Archi- Received in revised form 9 October 2012 pelago. Using a DNA reference dataset including historical C. abingdoni and >1600 living Volcano Wolf Accepted 14 October 2012 tortoise samples, a site on Isabela Island known to harbor hybrid tortoises, we discovered 17 individuals with ancestry in C. abingdoni. These animals belong to various hybrid categories, including possible first generation hybrids, and represent multiple, unrelated individuals. Their ages and relative abundance sug- Keywords: gest that additional hybrids and conceivably purebred C.
  • The Rarest Tortoise on Earth David Curl

    The Rarest Tortoise on Earth David Curl

    The rarest tortoise on earth David Curl The Madagascan tortoise Geochelone from the Oryx 100% Fund, the author, yniphora, known locally as the 'angonoka', is together with Ian Scoones, Mike Guy and found only near isolated patches of bamboo Gilbert Rakotoarisoa, has recently carried out forest in the vicinity of Baly Bay in north- a survey of the area. In this article, he western Madagascar. As part of an Oxford discusses the conservation of this highly University Expedition, and with some help endangered animal. The angonoka, or angulated tortoise (Dauid Curl). Rarest tortoise on earth 35 Downloaded from https://www.cambridge.org/core. IP address: 170.106.35.229, on 02 Oct 2021 at 01:46:58, subject to the Cambridge Core terms of use, available at https://www.cambridge.org/core/terms. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605300025898 One hundred years after its first description by (IUCN) has declared the tortoise to be one of the Vaillant in 1885, the angonoka Geochelone 12 rarest animals on earth. yniphora is now believed to be the world's rarest tortoise. It was not until the turn of the century that its natural location, in north-western Distribution Madagascar, was discovered (Siebenrock, 1903), Today, there are five different tortoises to be and since then little has been written about the found in Madagascar. The hinged tortoise Kinixys tortoise. A few visits to Baly Bay in the early/mid- belliana may well have been brought over from 1970s gave little cause for optimism and, as a the African mainland in comparatively recent result, a total population estimate of between a times, but the remaining four species have been few dozen and 100 animals was made (IUCN/ evolving in isolation for millions of years.
  • The Speckled Tortoise, Homopus Signatus, in Captivity by Mike Palmer

    The Speckled Tortoise, Homopus Signatus, in Captivity by Mike Palmer

    Adult pair of speckled tortoises (Homopus signatus) sharing a Lavatera blossom. The male of the pair (left) (10.4 cm) long, 2.9 in (7.4 cm) wide and 1.8 in (4.6 cm) tall. Photographed at the Behler Chelonian Center measures 3.4 in (8.6 cm) long, 2 in (5 cm) wide and 1.5 in (3.8 cm) tall. The female (right) measures 4.1 in in Southern California by Dave Friend. Speckled Tortoise (Homopus signatus) The Speckled Tortoise,Homopus signatus, in Captivity by Mike Palmer he South African speckled tortoise radiating streaks on the carapace, with the out without lifting up the rock they’re under. is my favorite chelonian. Not only is outside edge of the marginal scutes and the Besides being much smaller than the pancake it the smallest of all tortoises, rarely plastron being almost solid black. tortoise and not as proportionately flat, the Tgrowing more than 3¾ inches (9.5 centime- It is easy to see why they are called speck- shell of the speckled tortoise is hard. ters) in length, it is among the most beautiful. led or little rock tortoises by their appearance Like the parrot-beaked tortoises (Homo- I will not give detailed description of the tor- and their life-style. Like the pancake tortoise, pus areolatus) I have, they run for cover when toises. You can read all that in Richard C. they spend much of their time under or on they see me coming. However, unlike the par- Boycott and Ortwin Bourquin’s wonderful top of rocks and are rather flat and elongated, rot-beaked tortoises, the speckled tortoises The South African Tortoise book.
  • Abundance and Activity of Chelonoidis Chilensis (Gray, 1870) in the Chaco-Monte Ecotone of Central Argentina Region

    Abundance and Activity of Chelonoidis Chilensis (Gray, 1870) in the Chaco-Monte Ecotone of Central Argentina Region

    Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 499-505 (2021) (published online on 07 March 2021) Abundance and activity of Chelonoidis chilensis (Gray, 1870) in the Chaco-Monte ecotone of central Argentina region Ailin Gatica1,2,*, Ana C. Ochoa1,2, and Juan M. Pérez-Iglesias2,3 Abstract. Turtles represent one of the most threatened groups of vertebrates. Habitat loss by expansion of the agricultural frontier, exploitation and unregulated trade are the primary causes for sharp declines in many turtle species. Chelonoidis chilensis is a widespread turtle having the broadest distribution in South American continent, it has recently been reclassified from threatened to vulnerable. Considering this, it is necessary to search for non-invasive study methods that allow us to safely assess its ecological traits and monitor its populations. The objective of this work was to evaluate abundance and activity patterns of C. chilensis, using conventional and non-invasive methodologies in different years and vegetation types in Sierra de las Quijadas National Park. Conventional methodology consisted in sampling a study area through 5m width visual detection transects, placed one adjacent to another, involving a total of 168 transects (216 has). This sampling was repeated twice, with a one-year interval. Non-invasive novelty methodology consisted of using ten camera traps that were installed for two years. Turtle frequency in different vegetation types, activity patterns according to temperature and sex ratio were determined. The abundance of C. chilensis registered was 0.027 (in 2016) and 0.036 turtles/ha (in 2017). Temporal activity, observed through camera-traps, was detected between 25 to 40 °C and from 8 am to 8 pm.
  • Astrochelys Yniphora)

    Astrochelys Yniphora)

    Herpetology Notes, volume 7: 685-688 (2014) (published online on 17 November 2014) New data on the naturally-occurring maximum sizes attained by Ploughshare Tortoises (Astrochelys yniphora) Angelo Mandimbihasina1 and Andrea Currylow2,* As part of larger studies in January, April, and May extreme demand in the illicit trade and incited poaching 2013, we recorded morphometrics on 127 Ploughshare from the wild, making it truly the “golden tortoise”. Tortoises (Astrochelys yniphora) (Vaillant 1885) and As in many turtle species, the Ploughshare Tortoise found previous reports of morphometrics to be lacking exhibits sexual dimorphism, and sexes can be the breadth of size this species can achieve. The distinguished via secondary sexual characteristics. As Ploughshare Tortoise is the largest extant tortoise in compared to females, male characters include overall Madagascar; however, it has previously been described longer carapaces, elongated gular scute, concave as reaching morphometrics that fall up to 36% short of plastron, longer tail, and longer anal fork. In contrast, our findings. Using data presented herein, we propose females have shorter upturned gular scute, flat plastron, to update and add to the current species description, and wider anal notch which allows egg passage. Adult offering a new standard metric for size. Ploughshare Tortoise straight carapace length (SCL) The Ploughshare Tortoise (known locally as is described as being 250–486 mm (Juvik et al., 1997; “Angonoka”) is endemic to Baly Bay National Park Smith et al., 1999; Pedrono, and Markwell, 2001). In in northwest Madagascar. The species is known as the 2001, Pedrono and Markwell reported the maximum rarest and most endangered tortoise in the world (Curl size and weight known among both male and female et al., 1985; Curl, 1986).
  • Genetic Origins and Population Status of Desert Tortoises in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California: Initial Steps Towards Population Monitoring

    Genetic Origins and Population Status of Desert Tortoises in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California: Initial Steps Towards Population Monitoring

    G ENETIC ORIGINS AND POPULATION STATUS OF DESERT TORTOISES IN A NZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK, CALIFORNIA: INITIAL STEPS TOWARDS POPULATION MONITORING Jeffrey A. Manning, Ph.D. Environmental Scientist California Department of Parks and Recreation Colorado Desert District 200 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, California 92004 November 2018 Manning, J.A. 2018. Genetic origins and population status of desert tortoises in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California: initial steps towards population monitoring. California Department of Parks and Recreation, Colorado Desert District, Borrego Springs, California. 89 pages. i Genetic Origins and Population Status of Desert Tortoises in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California: Initial Steps Towards Population Monitoring Final Report Jeffrey A. Manning, Ph.D., Author / Principle Investigator California Department of Parks and Recreation Colorado Desert District 200 Palm Canyon Drive Borrego Springs, California 92004 November 2018 Manning, J.A. 201 8. Genetic origins and population status of desert tortoises in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California: initial steps towards population monitoring. California Department of Parks and Recreation, Colorado Desert District, Borrego Springs, California. 89 pages. i FOREWORD The Desert tortoise (Gopherus sp.) was formally reported to science in 1861, and became the official California state reptile in 1972. Recent studies reveal three species, the Mojave desert tortoise (G. agassizii), Sonoran Desert tortoise (G. morafkai), and Sinaloan desert tortoise (G. evgoodei) (Murphy et al. 2011, Edwards et al. 2016; Figure 1). Range-wide declines in the Mojave desert tortoise population led California to prohibit the collection of this species in 1961. Despite this, it was emergency listed as federally endangered and state listed as threatened in 1989, and subsequently listed as federally threatened in 1990 (Federal Register 55, No 63, 50 CFR Part 17).