Seasonal variations in haematological data from Mediterranean tortoises (Testudo graeca and Testudo hermanni) in captivity

1986 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 225-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. LAWRENCE ◽  
C. HAWKEY
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J-M Ballouard ◽  
X Bonnet ◽  
J Jourdan ◽  
A Martinez-Silvestre ◽  
S Gagno ◽  
...  

AbstractTwo types of pathogens cause highly contagious upper respiratory tract diseases (URTD) in Chelonians: testudinid herpesviruses (TeHV) and a mycoplasma (Mycoplasma agassizii). In captivity, these infections are frequent and can provoke outbreaks. Pet trade generates international flow of tortoises, often without sanitary checking; individuals intentionally or accidentally released in the wild may spread pathogens. A better understanding of the transmission of infectious agents from captivity to wild tortoises is needed. Many exotic individuals have been introduced in populations of the endangered western Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni), notably spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca). We assessed the presence of TeHV and mycoplasma in native western Hermann’s tortoises and in potential pet vectors in south-eastern France. Using a large sample (N=572 tortoises), this study revealed the worrying presence of herpesvirus in 7 free-ranging individuals (3 sub-populations). Additionally, Mycoplasma agassizii was detected in 15 of the 18 populations sampled with a frequency ranging from 2.5 to 25%. Exotic spur-thighed tortoises showed high frequency of Mycoplasma infection in captivity (18%) and in individuals (50%) found in native Hermann’s tortoise sub-populations, suggesting that this species could be a significant vector. The paucity of information of TeHV on European tortoise’ URTD in natural settings, especially in combination with mycoplasma, prompts for further studies. Indeed, sick tortoises remain concealed and may not be easily detected in the field. Our results indicate that both the prevalence and health impact of URTD are high should be scrutinized in the field.


1984 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R.K. Lambert

AbstractThe species and subspecies of W Palaearctic tortoises include six, which are widespread in southern Europe, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia, and four with restricted ranges in the Mediterranean region. The Central Asian Testudo (Agrionemys) horsfieldii GRAY overlaps with Testudo graeca zarudnyiNIKOLSKY in Iran and Afghanistan. The distributions of the remainder border the Mediterranean Sea. Their survival is threatened directly or indirectly by human activity over many years and include habitat destruction (urbanization, touristic development, road-building, scrubland fires and agriculture), bulk pet and food trade collection for export to NW Europe (Testudo graeca graeca L., Testudo graeca ibera PAL-LAS, Testudo hermanni hermanni GMELIN, T. (A.) horsfieldii and sometimes Testudo marginata SCHOEPFF), isolation of populations with restricted ranges (Testudo hermanni robertmertensiWERMUTH, Testudo (Pseudotestudo) kleinmanni LORTET, T. marginata and Testudo graeca floweri BODENHEIMER), and desertification, especially in the Saharan encroachment zone of northern Africa from wood burning, animal grazing and rainfall decrease (T. g. graeca and T. (P.) kleinmanni). A circum-Mediterranean investigation would establish the population status of all species and their habitats. Countries of the Council of Europe and European Economic Community by ratifying C.I.T.E.S. (Washington Convention 1973) have established the extent of the bulk trade. This should only be allowed in captive-bred animals which, like other domestic pets, could be commercially farmed, probably by necessity in the Mediterranean bioclimatic zone.


2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (04) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Holz ◽  
M. Fehr ◽  
K. A. Mathes

Zusammenfassung Gegenstand und Ziel: Erstellung von 20 Blutparametern in Deutschland gehaltener mediterraner Landschildkröten und Vergleich der erhaltenen Parameter zwischen vier unterschiedlichen Landschildkrötenspezies. Material und Methoden: Bei 61 mediterranen, in Deutschland gehaltenen Landschildkröten wurden nach Blutentnahme aus der dorsalen Kokzygealvene hämatologische und blutchemische Referenzwerte von 20 Parametern erstellt. Die Untersuchung erstreckte sich auf Nachzuchttiere oder länger als drei Jahre im Besitz befindliche Tiere aus fünf kontrollierten Beständen. Alle Probanden wurden im Frühjahr bis Spätsommer im Freiland gehalten und hielten regelmäßig Winterschlaf. Die Fütterung der Schildkröten erfolgte ausschließlich mit pflanzlicher Kost. Die 61 klinisch unauffälligen Landschildkröten gehörten den Spezies Testudo marginata (Breitrandschildkröte; n = 16), Testudo graeca (Maurische Landschildkröte; n = 15), Testudo hermanni (Griechische Landschildkröte; n = 22) und Testudo horsfieldii (Russische Steppenschildkröte; n = 8) an. Ergebnisse: Median, Minimal- und Maximalwerte, sowie p-Werte wurden für Hämatokrit, Alanin-Aminotransferase, Aspartat-Aminotransferase, Glutamat-Dehydrogenase, alkalische Phosphatase, Kreatinkinase, Harnsäure, Harnstoff, Cholesterin, Glukose, Fruktosamin, Gesamtbilirubin, Gesamteiweiß, Albumin, Cholinesterase, Natrium, Kalium, Gesamtkalzium, ionisiertes Kalzium und anorganisches Phosphat ermittelt. Schlussfolgerung und klinische Relevanz: Bei 10 der untersuchten 20 Parameter konnten statistisch signifikante speziesspezifische Unterschiede festgestellt werden. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, dass bei der Interpretation der Blutparameter so genannter „mediterraner Landschildkröten” unbedingt eine Speziesdifferenzierung stattfinden sollte.


1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1649-1665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Castanet ◽  
Marc Cheylan

This work shows the value of osseous growth marks for age determination in two terrestrial chelonia, Testudo hermanni and Testudo graeca. Careful histological observation of long bones proves that concentric rings show a yearly growth pattern; we have already described similar findings in amphibians, snakes, and lizards.We confirm these data first by the observation of some wild turtles of known age and of a close correlation between the number of bone rings and the number of rings on the cornified scutes. We also confirm in both species that scutes have a yearly growth rhythm and we conclude that bone growth marks provide a good criterion for age determination. Resorption destroys some juvenile rings; we propose a calculation to evaluate the number of resorbed lines to obtain the true individual age.In our turtles, scute growth rings allowed age determination until sexual maturity. With osseous growth marks, we were able to extend accurate ageing until the 20th year. We also established that sexual maturity occurs when animals are 12 or 13 years old in both species, with little difference between males and females.


2005 ◽  
Vol 98 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donato Traversa ◽  
Gioia Capelli ◽  
Raffaella Iorio ◽  
Salah Bouamer ◽  
Angelo Cameli ◽  
...  

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