Literaturdatenbank
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Rall, M., & Fairall, N. (1993). Diets and food preferences of two south african tortoises geochelone pardalis and psammobates oculifer. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 23(3), 63–70.
Added by: Sarina Wunderlich (23 Aug 2008 14:57:07 UTC) Last edited by: Beate Pfau (28 Oct 2009 06:57:23 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Rall1993a View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Ernährung = nutrition, Geochelone, Habitat = habitat, Psammobates, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Stigmochelys, Stigmochelys pardalis, Südafrika = Southern Africa, Testudinidae Creators: Fairall, Rall Collection: South African Journal of Wildlife Research |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Geochelone pardalis Psammobates oculifer Abstract: The diet and plant species preferences of two sympatric tortoises, the mountain tortoise and serrated tortoise , were studied in the northern Cape Province, South Africa. Owing to the difference in rainfall patterns during the two years of study, differing results were obtained between study periods and between tortoise species. During the dry year both tortoises used the vegetation in relation to its availability; grass was used extensively as were succulents. In the higher rainfall study period a greater variety of ephemerals was available. The mountain tortoise extended its use of available species but continued to use grass; this component disappeared completely from the diet of the serrated tortoise and they concentrated on herbs and succulents. Preference in both species is for succulents and species of the Fabaceae. also featured in both diets in both periods. It is suggested that the patterns shown reflect the climatic affinities of the two species. Added by: Sarina Wunderlich Last edited by: Beate Pfau |