Literaturdatenbank
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Lagarde, F., Bonnet, X., Nagy, K. A., Henen, B. T., Corbin, J., & Naulleau, G. (2002). A short spring before a long jump: the ecological challenge to the steppe tortoise (testudo horsfieldi). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 80(3), 493–502.
Added by: Admin (14 Aug 2008 20:35:29 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Lagarde2002 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Asien = Asia, Chelonia, Cheloniidae, Habitat = habitat, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae, Testudo, Testudo horsfieldii Creators: Bonnet, Corbin, Henen, Lagarde, Nagy, Naulleau Collection: Canadian Journal of Zoology |
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| Abstract |
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Testudo horsfieldii Testudinidae Abstract: The steppe tortoise (Testudo horsfieldi) is probably the most widespread and abundant of all living terrestrial tortoises, but paradoxically, this chelonian as been studied only superficially. Steppe tortoise populations are declining rapidly as a result of massive harvesting for the pet trade and extensive disruption of their habitat by intensive agriculture. Thus, it is urgent to acquire accurate information on major life-history traits. Our 5-year field study at the Djeiron Ecocenter in the Republic of Uzbekistan indicates that steppe tortoises usually remain buried in one place for over 9 months, which helps them cope with the extreme environmental conditions that occur in summer, fall, and winter. After emerging in late winter, steppe tortoises have less than 3 months in spring to forage to obtain the fuel needed for growth and reproduction, and replenish the body reserves necessary for the subsequent 9 months of total starvation. The mating period occurred between the end of March and mid-April and the egg-laying period from the end of April to mid-June. Using radio-tracking and focal sampling, we measured the time devoted to different activities by males and females. During the mating period, males allocated a large proportion of their daily activity to sexual behaviours, whereas females' sexual activity tended to be cryptic. However, males devoted less time to feeding and resting than did females. During the postmating period, both males and females spent much time foraging. The strong sexual divergences indicate that each sex copes differently with the extreme continental climate. The seasonal and interannual changes in body mass indicate complex interactions between climatic conditions, activity budget, and body reserves.
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