Literaturdatenbank
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Rodríguez-Caro, R. C., Santos, M. D. R., Martínez, E. G., Anadón, J. D., & Giménez, A. , Estimating age by counting scute rings on testudo graeca: Do they deposit a growth ring per year? Unpublished paper presented at XII Congresso Luso Espanhol de Herpetologia.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:23:08 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: RodrguezCaro2012 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat - habitat, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Südwesteuropa - South-Western Europa, Testudinidae, Testudo graeca Creators: Anadón, Giménez, Martínez, Rodríguez-Caro, Santos Collection: XII Congresso Luso Espanhol de Herpetologia |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae A precise and reliable estimation of the age of individuals is essential to develop demographic studies on wildlife populations. In tortoises, many studies estimate the age of individuals by counting horn rings on their scutes. However, the accuracy of this method is under controversy. The pattern of ring deposition can vary depending on the species and should be studied in a comprehensive manner. We have studied this pattern in Testudo graeca using recaptures of 156 individuals in 18 sample sites along Iberian southeast between 2004 and 2010. This study analyses the differences between the number of deposited rings between recaptures and number of rings expected for that period of time under different assumptions (by deposition season, sites and sexes). Our results reveal that the majority of individuals (65%) had a relation 1:1 (a ring per year). However, not all individuals in all years responded to this pattern. A few individuals presented less rings than years. On the other hand, the rings were deposited during the months of activity (both spring and autumn).We did not found any difference among sites or between sexes. Given the existing individual variability in the deposition patterns, we conclude that this method should be used with caution.
Added by: Admin |