Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Loehr, V. J. T. (2003). The ecology of the world's smallest tortoise, homopus signatus signatus University of the Western Cape.
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:24:50 UTC) |
| Resource type: Report/Documentation BibTeX citation key: anon2003h View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat - habitat, Homopus signatus, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Südafrika - Southern Africa, Testudinidae Creators: Loehr Publisher: University of the Western Cape |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae The Namaqualand Speckled Padloper (Homopus signatus signatus) is the smallest tortoise, making it an intriguing subject for study of life history and other ecological characteristics. The aim of my proposed study is to increase the understanding of the determinants of, and relationships between ecological patterns in chelonians, by placing traits of the world’s smallest tortoise into the context of ecological analyses for many species. In addition, the study has a strategic aim: Knowledge on the ecology of this species will be of use in future conservation plans. Although the species is not currently endangered, several potential threats are present and conservation measures may be required in the future. Ecological data on H. s. signatus is almost completely lacking. I will study a natural population near Springbok, Namaqualand, South Africa, focussing on the ecological aspects population ecology, resource requirements and reproduction. Fieldwork (2000 - 2004) will primarily be conducted in spring (September - October) but also in other seasons. I will use mark-recapture, thread-trailing and radio-tracking techniques to monitor individual tortoises. Ageing of specimens will be done by using scute rings, after determining if scute rings form annually in H. s. signatus. I will define microhabitats to study tortoise activity patterns in relation to their habitat. Weather data will allow analyses of relationships with temperature and rainfall, including the tortoises’s seasonal activity cycle. I will also equip tortoises with small temperature loggers on their shell, to identify body temperature profiles. This will further increase the understanding how the tortoises use their habitat, and how they thermoregulate. I will determine the diet of H. s. signatus in relation to availability of food items, to identify preferences. As a part of the reproductive studies, I will include data from a captive H. s. signatus colony. Wild tortoises will be radiographed and ultrasonographed to obtain information on clutches and eggs, and reproductive potential will be measured in captive tortoises. I will determine the age at maturity in the natural population. My research will produce several papers that contribute to the understanding of chelonian ecological patterns. All data will be presented in a thesis, that may also be of interest to conservationists.
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