Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Gould, M. S., & Swingland, I. R. (1980). The tortoise and the goat: interactions on aldabra island. Biological Conservation, 17(4), 267–279.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (25 Jan 2011 10:31:59 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article DOI: 10.1016/0006-3207(80)90027-0 BibTeX citation key: Gould1980 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Aldabrachelys, Aldabrachelys dussumieri, Habitat = habitat, invasive Arten = invasive species, Pazifik = Pacific, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae Creators: Gould, Swingland Collection: Biological Conservation |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Geochelone Aldabrachelys dussumieri Endemic giant tortoises and introduced feral goats are the two major terrestrial herbivores on Aldabra atoll and have similar distributions. The tortoises vastly outnumber the goats, however, and the impact of the goats on the tortoises is minimal. Intraspecific competition is a much greater factor for the tortoises than interspecific competition. Feeding habits are significantly different, goats being primarily browsers and tortoises primarily grazers. Both species affect of the growth forms and regeneration of many plant species, but again due to sheer numbers, the tortoises' impact is much greater than the goats. Direct behavioural interactions between tortoises and goats are rare. Goats may, however, indirectly benefit tortoises by depositing heavy loads of faeces at coastal sleeping sites, thus acting as fertilizing agents, moving nutrients from tortoise-inaccessible to tortoise-accessible areas.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |