Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Agha, M., Lovich, J. E., Ennen, J. R., & Wilcox, E. (2013). Nest-guarding by female agassiz's desert tortoise (gopherus agassizii) at a wind-energy facility near palm springs, california. Southwestern Naturalist, 58(2), 254–257.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:23:57 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1894/0038-4909-58.2.254 BibTeX citation key: Agha2013 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Fortpflanzung - reproduction, Gopherus agassizii, Habitat - habitat, Nordamerika - North America, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Testudinidae, Verhalten - ethology Creators: Agha, Ennen, Lovich, Wilcox Collection: Southwestern Naturalist |
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| Abstract |
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We observed behavior consistent with nest-guarding in Agassiz's desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) at two nests in a large wind-energy-generation facility near Palm Springs, California, locally known as the Mesa Wind Farm. As researchers approached the nests, female desert tortoises moved to the entrance of their burrows and positioned themselves sideways, directly over their nests. One female stretched her limbs outward and wedged herself into the burrow (her plastron directly above the nest). Guarding of nests is rarely observed in Agassiz's desert tortoise but can occur as a result of attempted predation on eggs by Gila monsters (Heloderma suspectum) or in direct response to the perceived threat posed by researchers. This is the first report of nest-guarding for G. agassizii in the Sonoran Desert ecosystem of California.
Added by: Admin |