Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
|
 |
|
Lambert, M. R. K. (2001). On sustainable utilization of the leopard tortoise geochelone pardalis in populations of eastern africa: Size frequency, latitude and ecology. In P. Lymberakis, E. Valakos, P. Pafilis & M. Mylonas (Eds.), Herpetologia Candiana (pp. 97–105). Irakleio: Societas Europaea Herpetologica.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (06 Jul 2014 16:11:46 UTC) |
| Resource type: Book Article BibTeX citation key: Lambert2001 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Afrika = Africa, Geoemyda japonica, Geoemydidae, Habitat - habitat, Schildkröten - turtles + tortoises Creators: Lambert, Lymberakis, Mylonas, Pafilis, Valakos Publisher: Societas Europaea Herpetologica (Irakleio) Collection: Herpetologia Candiana |
Views: 6/703
Views index: 19% Popularity index: 4.75% |
| Abstract |
|
Testudinidae Harvesting for food and collection for the international live animal trade could alter size frequencies of leopard tortoises Geochelone pardalis (Bell, 1828) remaining in eastern and southern Africa. Tortoise sizes tended to be smaller between the Equator and Tropic of Capricorn (latitude 23o30'S) than in populations north and south of these limits, and in Tanzania could be influenced by such ecological factors as bushfire exposure, national park protection, cattle grazing and village-settled agriculture. Similar size frequencies in the last two may indicate nonutilization by local people. Hatchlings in Serengeti National Park were larger, but adults, with pyramidally-grown vertebral and pleural scutes, and reaching asymptotic size earlier, were smaller than elsewhere. Females were more rotund - male:female ratio 1:1.91. Asymptotic sizes were similar, but females grew faster and were larger at comparable ages than males. Annual growth was independent of seasonal rainfall (341.1-812.3 mm). Survivorship was zero by year 21, while 50% of the unexploited population in Hargeisa, Somaliland (9°30'N), still remained by year 25. To determine utilization effects, and levels that tortoise populations can sustain, further studies are required on density, demography, reproduction, recruitment and survivorship.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich |