Effect of Supplemental Heat in Captive African Leopard Tortoises (Stigmochelys pardalis) and Spurred Tortoises (CENTROCHELYS sulcata) on Growth Rate and Carapacial Scute Pyramiding

Heinrich, Mark L.; Heinrich, Kaleb K.

doi:10.1053/j.jepm.2015.12.005

Cited by 15 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The idea about the existence of such a determination was first suggested as early as in the first quarter of the 20th century (Procter, ). Numerous data on pathological formation of humps within the horny scutes (pyramidal growth syndrome), observed only in testudinids (Heinrich & Heinrich, ; Wiesner & Iben, ), are another example of the influence of horny structures on the shape of the carapace plates.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphogenetic and constructional differences of the carapace of aquatic and terrestrial turtles and their evolutionary significance

Cherepanov

2019

Journal of Morphology

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The postembryonic development of the turtle carapace was studied in the aquatic Еmys orbicularis and the terrestrial Тestudo graeca. Differences in the structure of the bony shell in aquatic and terrestrial turtles were shown to be associated with varying degrees of development of epidermal derivatives, namely, the thickness of the scutes and the depth of horny furrows. Sinking of the horny furrows into the dermis causes local changes in the structure of the collagen matrix, which might precondition the acceleration of the ossification. Aquatic turtles possess a relatively thin horny cover, whose derivatives are either weakly developed or altogether absent and thus make no noticeable impact on the growth dynamics of bony plates. Carapace plates of these turtles outgrow more or less evenly around the periphery, which results in uniform costals, relatively narrow and partly reduced neurals, and broad peripherals extending beyond the marginal scutes. In terrestrial turtles (Testudinidae), horny structures are much more developed and exert a considerable impact on the growth of bony elements. As a result, bony plates outgrow unevenly in the dermis, expanding fast in the zones under the horny furrows and slowly outside these zones. This determines the basic features of the testudinid carapace: alternately cuneate shape of costals, an alternation of broad octagonal and narrow tetragonal neurals, and the limitation of the growth of peripherals by pleuro‐marginal furrows. The evolutionary significance of morphogenetic and constructional differences in the turtle carapace, and the association of these differences with the turtle habitats are discussed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphogenetic and constructional differences of the carapace of aquatic and terrestrial turtles and their evolutionary significance

Cherepanov

2019

Journal of Morphology

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“…Tortoises, as other ectotherms, are dependent on environmental temperature to regulate physiological processes and behavior, which ultimately affect their growth, survival, and reproduction. For example, temperature is known to affect tortoise metabolic rate (Wood, Lykkeboe, Johansen, Weber, & Maloiy, ), growth rates and abnormalities such as carapacial scute pyramiding (Heinrich & Heinrich ), and susceptibility to cloacal infections (Samour, Hawkey, Pugsley, & Ball, ). Thus, providing an adequate thermal environment for tortoises in captivity is of paramount importance.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of artificial heating sources for the thermoregulation of Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) in Zurich zoo

Falcón

Furrer²,

Bauert

et al. 2018

Zoo Biology

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We recorded the thermoregulatory patterns of five Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) (25-193 kg) during spring (ZRH spring trial), after the installation of a heating area (concrete heat pad and basking lamp) at Zurich Zoo, Switzerland. The measurements were compared to published results on the same tortoises observed prior to the installation of the heater (ZRH summer and winter trials), and on wild tortoises on Aldabra Atoll. The mean environmental temperature outside the heating area was 23.3°C, significantly lower compared to Aldabra Atoll (30.3°C; r ange: 23.8-43.8°C), and to the environmental temperature range at which tortoises maximize their activity in the wild (T a-opt ; 25.8-31.7°C). The heating area exhibited a mean temperature of 36.3°C, and tortoises that made use of the heating area were able to maintain a mean core body temperature (T bc ) of 30.0°C, which was comparable to the T bc of tortoises during ZRH summer and on Aldabra trials, and an improvement over the mean T bc recorded during the ZRH winter trial (21.2°C). The smaller individuals reached the upper limits of T bc recommended for the species, probably due to heating pad temperatures above T a-opt . We discuss current practices to provide external heating sources for tortoises and how this method can be used to provide an adequate thermal environment for large captive reptiles. Finally, we provide recommendations for the installation of artificial heating sources for tortoises and large reptiles. K E Y W O R D Sanimal welfare, captivity, husbandry, reptiles, thermal environment

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“…Pyramiding is caused by humidity, ambient temperature, and food effects (Heinrich & Heinrich, 2016). The measurement results for a turtle's plastron include the plastron length and maximal plastron length (Figure 4).…”

Section: Jurnal Pembelajaran Dan Biologimentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphometric Study of African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) Based on Age Group

Siagian,

Prayogo,

Widigdaya

et al. 2023

JPBN

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Centrochelys sulcata are kept and bred to prevent extinction. The sulkata tortoises were identified to determine their respective identities by measuring them morphometrically. Morphometric studies on sulkata tortoises are still minimal, so a morphometric study of the sulkata tortoises is needed. The purpose of this study was to identify and describe the morphometry of sulcata tortoises with three different age ranges kept in ex-situ conservation. The research sample used 15 sulcata turtles which were divided into 3 groups namely group A (1 year), Group B (2 years), and Group C (3 years). The morphometric parameters measured were body weight, head, carapace, plastron, forelimb, hindlimb and bridge. The results showed that the average body weight of group A, B and C turtles was 2,179 kg, 1,289 kg and 0,167 kg respectively. The average maximum carapace length in a row for groups A, B, C, namely 11.64, 23.18 and 16.72 cm. The average plastron lengths for groups A, B, C were 9.08, 6.44 and 9.24 cm respectively. The average forelimb length in groups A, B and C were 3.04, 6.28 and 7.78 cm respectively. The average hindlimb length for groups A, B, and C were 1.86, 3.5 and 4.04 cm, respectively. The average bridge width for groups A, B and C were 4.36, 8.94 and 10.1 cm respectively. Based on the results of morphometric measurements of the three groups of sulcata tortoises, it was shown that group C had a larger morphometric size than groups B and A, this was due to differences in age and growth factors. Sulcata tortoises group C is 3 years old and belongs to the juvenile group. Sulcata tortoise groups A and B aged 1 and 2 years are included in the yearly group

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Effect of Supplemental Heat in Captive African Leopard Tortoises (Stigmochelys pardalis) and Spurred Tortoises (CENTROCHELYS sulcata) on Growth Rate and Carapacial Scute Pyramiding

Cited by 15 publications

References 12 publications

Morphogenetic and constructional differences of the carapace of aquatic and terrestrial turtles and their evolutionary significance

Morphogenetic and constructional differences of the carapace of aquatic and terrestrial turtles and their evolutionary significance

Evaluation of artificial heating sources for the thermoregulation of Aldabra giant tortoises (Aldabrachelys gigantea) in Zurich zoo

Morphometric Study of African Spurred Tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) Based on Age Group

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