Clutch frequency, egg and clutch characteristics, and nesting activity of spur-thighed tortoises,<i>Testudo graeca</i>, in southwestern Spain

Díaz‐Paniagua, Carmen; Keller, Claudia; Andreu, Ana C.

doi:10.1139/z96-061

Cited by 38 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…In the present study area, the nesting period of this exotic species was 4 months, similar to the longer period in the original range of T. scripta. This long period is favoured by the climatic character of the study area, in which other reptiles such as the terrestrial chelonian Testudo graeca (Dı´az-Paniagua et al, 1996) have a similar nesting season. In contrast, the two native aquatic turtles of the same study area concentrate their nesting in only two months, mainly June and July (Keller and Busack, 2001;Roques et al, 2006).…”

Section: Nesting Period and Clutch Numbermentioning

confidence: 99%

The reproductive ecology of exotic Trachemys scripta elegans in an invaded area of southern Europe

Pérez-Santigosa

Díaz‐Paniagua

Hidalgo-Vila

2008

Aquatic Conservation

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ABSTRACT1. The main reproductive parameters of exotic Trachemys scripta elegans in established populations from two ponds in southern Spain are described.2. Females were found to reproduce at 5 years of age, although sexually mature individuals of 4 and 3 years of age were also detected. Annual reproductive frequency was estimated to be 80-86% of reproductive females. Mean clutch size was 11.5 eggs and was not correlated with maternal body size.3. The number of follicles of different size in ovaries suggested that four or more clutches could be laid per season. Eggs were laid from April to June (inclusive) mainly during morning hours, when females were easily detected during nesting trips. 79.5% of eggs were fertile.4. Reproductive parameters of this species in southern Spain were of similar or even higher values than in native areas, thus placing them among chelonian species of earlier maturity.5. Although chelonians might never be considered explosive breeders, the number of T. s. elegans individuals could surpass that of native aquatic chelonians in southern Spain, where T. s. elegans reach maturity earlier, are more fecund and their eggs are more fertile.

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Section: Nesting Period and Clutch Numbermentioning

confidence: 99%

The reproductive ecology of exotic Trachemys scripta elegans in an invaded area of southern Europe

Pérez-Santigosa

Díaz‐Paniagua

Hidalgo-Vila

2008

Aquatic Conservation

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“…Iverson (1992) reported an inverse relationship between age at maturity and clutch frequency in turtles, which he attributed to constraints imposed by small body size in early maturing turtles. European tortoises (Testudo graeca, T. hermanni, and T. marginata) produce 2-3 clutches/yr (Swingland and Stubbs 1985, Hailey and Loumbourdis 1988, Diaz-Paniagua et al 1996. European tortoises (Testudo graeca, T. hermanni, and T. marginata) produce 2-3 clutches/yr (Swingland and Stubbs 1985, Hailey and Loumbourdis 1988, Diaz-Paniagua et al 1996.…”

Section: Reproductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in Tortoise Life History: Demography of Gopherus berlandieri

Hellgren¹,

Kazmaier²,

Ruthven³

et al. 2000

Ecology

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JSTOR is a not-for-profit service that helps scholars, researchers, and students discover, use, and build upon a wide range of content in a trusted digital archive. We use information technology and tools to increase productivity and facilitate new forms of scholarship. For more information about JSTOR, please contact support@jstor.org.. Ecological Society of America is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve and extend access to Ecology.Abstract. Turtles provide excellent models for studies of life history strategies, but terrestrial species are underrepresented in these analyses. We present a life table and demographic parameters of an inland population of Gopherus berlandieri to contribute to the study of evolution of turtle life histories. Data were gathered during a mark-recapture and radiotelemetry study in the Tamaulipan Biotic Province in southern Texas, USA. A total of 835 individuals were captured, measured, and their ages estimated. Females matured at 131 mm carapace length at an average of 5 yr of age (range: 4-8 yr). Clutch size, as determined by ultrasound, averaged 2.07 ?+ 0.15 eggs (n = 49). No nests were found, and we estimated clutch frequency with a quadratic model to be 1.34 clutches-female-t-year-1. Survival was estimated from age frequency regression and telemetry. Annual male survival (0.828, 0.834) differed (P < 0.05) from female survival (0.728, 0.774) for both techniques of estimation. Age-specific female survival ranged from 0.62 to 0.83 for 5-to 15-yr-old tortoises. Differential mortality of sexes led to a male-biased sex ratio in older age classes. Age structures of captured individuals did not vary (P > 0.05) among years, and population estimates did not differ among years; therefore, we constructed a life table under the assumption of a stationary population (r = 0.0). Under this assumption, survival from nest to age 4 yr must be at least 0.245, with hatchling survival of 0.528 to maintain a stationary population. Gopherus berlandieri matured at an earlier age, had smaller clutch sizes, and exhibited lower rates of female survival than other Gopherus species. We propose a physiological mechanism for lower female survival that implies trade-offs among egg size, subsequent hatchling survival, and female health. We maintain that high hatchling survival is necessary for population persistence. In an evolutionary context, we theorize that the selective advantages of small size and the life history strategies of G. berlandieri have been and are critical to its persistence.

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“…Reproductive Pattern and Evolutionary Implications.-Reproduction in C. angulata females was highly unusual for a species exposed to a Mediterranean climate. In contrast to other Mediterranean species (e.g., the Testudo group) that nest seasonally in spring to summer (Ernst and Barbour, 1989;Diaz-Paniagua et al, 1996), C. angulata females were gravid for most of the year with a brief nongravid period in midsummer. This nongravid period established that a basic seasonality underlies their otherwise continuous reproductive pattern.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Egg Production in Chersina angulata: An Unusual Pattern in a Mediterranean Climate

Hofmeyr

2004

Journal of Herpetology

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Clutch frequency, egg and clutch characteristics, and nesting activity of spur-thighed tortoises,Testudo graeca, in southwestern Spain

Cited by 38 publications

References 7 publications

The reproductive ecology of exotic Trachemys scripta elegans in an invaded area of southern Europe

The reproductive ecology of exotic Trachemys scripta elegans in an invaded area of southern Europe

Variation in Tortoise Life History: Demography of Gopherus berlandieri

Egg Production in Chersina angulata: An Unusual Pattern in a Mediterranean Climate

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