Literaturdatenbank
Literaturdatenbank |
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Baard, E. H. W. (1995). A preliminary analysis of the habitat of the geometric tortoise, psammobates geometricus. South African Journal of Wildlife Research, 25(1), 8–13.
Added by: Admin (23 Aug 2008 15:32:50 UTC) Last edited by: Beate Pfau (25 Oct 2009 08:17:17 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Baard1995b View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Habitat = habitat, Psammobates, Psammobates geometricus, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Südafrika = Southern Africa, Testudinidae Creators: Baard Collection: South African Journal of Wildlife Research |
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| Abstract |
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Testudinidae Psammobates geometricus Abstract: The apparent restriction of the endangered geometric tortoise to the renosterveld vegetation type of the Western Cape Province was assessed. Geometric tortoises are absent from coastal strandveld and coastal fynbos regions, possibly owing to the generally drier prevailing climatic conditions and higher predation pressure in more open habitat. Absence from wetter, less fertile mountain fynbos areas may be related to denser vegetation and scarcity of food plants. Topographical position in the landscape, rather than altitude, determines their preference for low-lying, well-drained areas. Higher percentage occurrence of favoured food plants in renosterveld reflects a close dependence on this habitat and may be the key element for their endemicity to renosterveld. Geometric tortoise micro-habitat is situated within the 350-600 mm annual winter rainfall range, and is characterized by low-lying, relatively open, medium-high renosterveld with characteristic shrub, restioid, annual herbaceous and perennial grass cover. Added by: Admin Last edited by: Beate Pfau |