Conservation biology of freshwater turtles and tortoises

[Geomyda]

fascinating new paper on Testudo Hermanni published by:
CONSERVATION BIOLOGY OF FRESHWATER TURTLES AND TORTOISES
IUCN/SSC TORTOISE AND FRESHWATER TURTLE SPECIALIST GROUP
International Union for Conservation of Nature / Species Survival Commission
Provides a very interesting update on Taxonomy, Biology and natural distribution.
pm for details on how to obtain this?

[Kirkie]

Thanks for the email this morning Paul. Interesting read. Striking a line through T. Hermanni Hercegovinensis as a recognised sub species somewhat.

I've seen the DNA test results mentioned. T.H.Hermanni and T.H.Boettgeri very different, any early branch off. Boettgeri and Hercegovinensis; very similar.

[Kirkie]

Think this was the one

http://vipersgarden.at/PDF_files/PDF-492.pdf

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Think this was the one

http://vipersgarden.at/PDF_files/PDF-492.pdf

It will be interesting to see the further debate eminating from this work?

[Kirkie]

Aside from the differing physical characteristics there was a high egg failure rate in Boettgeri/Hercegovinensis pairings which improved greatly when the differing animals were seperated.*

Last summer I had a female Boettgeri and a female Herc lay on the same day. I incubated the Boettgeri eggs at 32C, the Herc's at 29C. Both hatched after 54 days. All the hatchlings appear to be female. Thats not an external physical characteristic*difference.

With the Western Hermanns, DNA tests found virtually all mainland groups to be virtually genetically identical. We still sub class them as Var, Corse etc by geographical location and perhaps the same should be true of Hercegovinensis. Perhaps Testudo Boettgeri and Testudo Boettgeri Hercegovinensis are more valid names?

The greek Boettgeri were found to be the most gentically different animal so perhaps T.H. Peleponnesica is a valid title too.

I do like Hermanns tortoise. Never a dull moment.

[Geomyda]

Originally Posted by Kirkie

Aside from the differing physical characteristics there was a high egg failure rate in Boettgeri/Hercegovinensis pairings which improved greatly when the differing animals were seperated.*

Last summer I had a female Boettgeri and a female Herc lay on the same day. I incubated the Boettgeri eggs at 32C, the Herc's at 29C. Both hatched after 54 days. All the hatchlings appear to be female. Thats not an external physical characteristic*difference.

With the Western Hermanns, DNA tests found virtually all mainland groups to be virtually genetically identical. We still sub class them as Var, Corse etc by geographical location and perhaps the same should be true of Hercegovinensis. Perhaps Testudo Boettgeri and Testudo Boettgeri Hercegovinensis are more valid names?

The greek Boettgeri were found to be the most gentically different animal so perhaps T.H. Peleponnesica is a valid title too.

I do like Hermanns tortoise. Never a dull moment.

David,
you know, that here in the UK we have one of the most respected Biologists in the world whom has worked with T h Hermanni. She spent four years on extensive field work in Southern France, and has I am sure a wealth of information to share about her experiences.
Wouldn't it be great if one of the national or regional Chelonia groups could get her to present a talk on her subject?