Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
|
 |
|
Mazzotti, S., Bertolucci, C., Mantovania, S., & Fasola, M. , Weight variation related to season and to activity in testudo hermanni (reptilia, testudinidae). Unpublished paper presented at Riassunti del 6° Congresso Nazionale della Societas Herpetologica Italica (Roma, 27.IX-1.X.2006).
Added by: Admin (06 Jan 2014 18:24:58 UTC) |
| Resource type: Conference Paper BibTeX citation key: Mazzotti2006 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat - habitat, Physiologie - physiology, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises, Südeuropa - Southern Europe, Testudinidae, Testudo hermanni Creators: Bertolucci, Fasola, Mantovania, Mazzotti Collection: Riassunti del 6° Congresso Nazionale della Societas Herpetologica Italica (Roma, 27.IX-1.X.2006) |
Views: 6/524
Views index: 13% Popularity index: 3.25% |
| Abstract |
|
Testudinidae In ectothermic animals, activity rates undergo seasonal variations that affect their body weight, especially in Testudinata (Brisbin, 1972. Herpetologica, 28:70-75). From 1992 to 2005, a population of Hermann’s Tortoise Testudo hermanni was monitored at the Mesola Wood (Po River Delta, Nothern Italy). Seasonal activity rates were described by Mazzotti & Vallini (1999, Atti I Congresso Nazionale Societas Herpetologica Italica, Museo Regionale Scienze naturali, Torino, 133-137); Mazzotti et al. (2002, Amphibia-Reptilia. 23: 305-312) and Mazzotti (2004, Italian Journal Zoology, Suppl. 1: 97-102). By means of monthly sampling, 224 males (average weight 797 g; SD = 228.2; range 41.1 – 1431 g) and 179 females (m = 1034 g; SD = 303.7; range 65.4 – 2389,0 g) were captured, for a total of 1730 and 1243 repeated captures. For each specimen, the carapace linear length we measured (males: mean = 157.5 mm, SD = 18.0, range 66.0 – 190.0; females: mean = 175 mm, SD = 24.1, range 67.0 – 229.0) and the cloacal temperature. Weight variations in males ranged from an average increase of 44.9 g to an average decrease of 107.5 g, whereas in females, the variation ranged from + 42.6 g to – 93.4 g. The minimum values corresponding to hibernation. Seasonal patterns of weight differed with gender (Fig. 1). In March, weight increased both in males and in females; in April, males remained generally steady, while females showed a remarkable weight decrease, followed by a quick increase in May. This trend is especially clear in bigger specimens (males from 171 to 190 mm; females from 181 to 230 mm) rather than in small ones. Both sexes decreased in weight during April, due to a their high breeding activity. In May, egg maturation lead to a remarkable weight increase in females followed by a gradual decrease up to August, due to egg laying. Important relationships have been reported among the different behavioural stages of tortoises, weight variations, and cloacal temperatures. The weight of active tortoises (moving, feeding, breeding, etc.) was above the average for 63 g in males and for 40 g in females, with average cloacal temperatures of 29.1 and 28.4 °C respectively. On the contrary, specimens that were inactive or resting underground had the average weight lower for 93 g in males and 75.5 g in females, with average cloacal temperatures of 21.3 °C and 21.8 °C respectively.
Added by: Admin |