Threats to Mediterranean (West Palaearctic) tortoises and their effects on wild populations: an overview

1984 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.R.K. Lambert
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Destruction ◽  
Council Of Europe ◽  
Testudo Graeca ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
Bioclimatic Zone ◽  
Testudo Hermanni ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Touristic Development ◽  
Testudo Marginata ◽  
Animal Grazing

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.

Blutreferenzwerte in Deutschland gehaltener europäischer Landschildkröten (Testudo spp.)

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (04) ◽  
pp. 268-274 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Holz ◽  
M. Fehr ◽  
K. A. Mathes
Keyword(s):  
Alkalische Phosphatase ◽  
Testudo Graeca ◽  
Klinische Relevanz ◽  
Testudo Hermanni ◽  
Testudo Marginata

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.

Epidemiology and biology of nematodofauna affecting Testudo hermanni, Testudo graeca and Testudo marginata in Italy

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

Les marques de croissance des os et des écailles comme indicateur de l'âge chez Testudo hermanni et Testudo graeca (Reptilia, Chelonia, Testudinidae)

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (8) ◽  
pp. 1649-1665 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacques Castanet ◽  
Marc Cheylan
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Maturity ◽  
Bone Growth ◽  
Age Determination ◽  
Close Correlation ◽  
Long Bones ◽  
Histological Observation ◽  
Growth Rings ◽  
Testudo Graeca ◽  
Testudo Hermanni ◽  
Males And Females

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.

scholarly journals From troubles to solutions: conservation of Mediterranean tortoises under global change

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eva Graciá ◽  
Roberto Carlos Rodríguez-Caro ◽  
Marcos Ferrández ◽  
Albert Martínez-Silvestre ◽  
Irene Pérez-Ibarra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Wild Animals ◽  
Wild Populations ◽  
Testudo Graeca ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Endangered Status

Chelonians are among the animal groups with the poorest conservation status. Since tortoises are long-lived species that need very long time to reach sexual maturity, they are extremely vulnerable to human pressure. Despite their endangered status, there are no common strategies for the development of conservation actions. At the “Mediterranean workshop to develop tortoise conservation strategies”, scientists, conservation associations, environmental managers, IUCN advisers and CITES inspectors met in October 2019 in Alicante (Spain). The aims were to update the diagnosis of the conservation status of the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) and the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) and to suggest strategies that guarantee their preservation at the Mediterranean Region. The main conclusions are summarized by: i) Mediterranean tortoises are wild endangered species that must be protected in, and together with, their natural habitat. Their main threats are habitat loss and fragmentation and pet trade, but we should also pay attention to wildfires, spread of diseases, the introduction of exotic species or lineages and climate change. ii) Long-term efforts and stablished protocols are needed to accurately diagnose and monitor the conservation status of wild populations, as well as flows among captive and wild animals. iii)  Tortoise trade should be banned because it threatens the conservation of wild populations of tortoises. Illegal practices related to tortoises should be decidedly persecuted. People should consider tortoises as wild animals that are endangered and deserving of protection. It is possible to enjoy them by responsibly observing them in their habitat. iv) Tortoises may carry pathogens or parasites and their sanitary status cannot be fully assessed. They should always be considered potential vectors of tortoise diseases and of zoonosis. Hygiene protocols should be implemented when managing them. v) The researchers attending this workshop aimed to develop a scientific network for the long-term monitoring of graeca and T. hermanni populations in the Mediterranean Region. They will need the support from public administrations.  

scholarly journals Updated checklist of the Umbelliferae of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan: nomenclature, synonymy, typification, distribution

Turczaninowia ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 127-257
Author(s):  
Michail G. Pimenov
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Published Data ◽  
Middle Asia ◽  
Central Asian ◽  
The Family ◽  
The World ◽  
Endemic Genera ◽  
The Mediterranean

The region of Middle Asia and Kazakhstan with 107 genera, 459 species and 204 endemic species is one of essential Umbelliferae diversity centers not only in Asia, but also in the world. The biggest Umbelliferae genera in the region are Ferula (100 species), Seseli (49), Elwendia (19), Bupleurum (18), Elaeosticta (18), Prangos (16), Semenovia (16). The diversity of the family by country is as follows: Kazakhstan (82 genera – 211 species – 28 endemic species), Uzbekistan (68 – 200 – 18, respectively), Kyrgyzstan (65 – 192 – 29), Tajikistan (65 – 176 – 20), and Turkmenistan (51 – 122 – 9). The latter differs considerably from other countries of the region not only in lesser diversity, but also in generic and specific sets, approaching the features of Iranian Umbelliferae. The distribution of species was described with regard to provinces of all five countries. The list of endemic species for each country was compiled on the basis of field, herbarium and published data. There are 16 endemic genera in Middle Asia and Kazakhstan, including Astomatopsis, Autumnalia, Fergania, Kafirnigania, Karatavia, Komarovia, Kuramosciadium, Lipskya, Mogoltavia, Paulita, Pilopleura, Schtschurowskia, Sclerotiaria, Sphaenolobium, Sphaerosciadium, and Tschulaktavia, 6 other genera being subendemics. Across the region the important border between Middle Asian (eastern part of SW Asian floristic province of the Mediterranean type) and Central Asian phytochoria passes; the former being considerably richer in the Umbelliferae than the latter.

scholarly journals The Accessible Underwater Cultural Heritage Sites (AUCHS) as a sustainable tourism development opportunity in the Mediterranean Region

Tourism ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 68 (4) ◽  
pp. 499-503
Author(s):  
Angelos Manglis ◽  
Anastasia Fourkiotou ◽  
Dimitra Papadopoulou
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Heritage ◽  
Mediterranean Region ◽  
Underwater Cultural Heritage ◽  
Sustainable Tourism Development ◽  
Heritage Sites ◽  
Development Opportunity ◽  
Blue Growth ◽  
The Mediterranean ◽  
Touristic Development ◽  
Socioeconomic Benefits

This article is about the multi-dimensional value of the Accessible Underwater Cultural Heritage Sites (AUCHS) for coastal areas and islands in the Mediterranean Region, especially as an opportunity for sustainable blue growth. It is an attempt to underline the need for the broad promotion of Underwater Cultural Heritage (UCH) and to highlight the contribution of innovative technologies for direct and indirect accessibility to underwater cultural heritage remains. The paper further demonstrates how the AUCHS can become niches of touristic development for an area whilst offering multifaceted socioeconomic benefits to the local communities.

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