Food choice of an Algerian population of the spur‐thighed tortoise,<i>Testudo graeca</i>

Rouag, Rachid; Ferrah, Chahira; Luiselli, Luca; Tiar, Ghoulem; Benyacoub, Slim; Ziane, Nadia; Mouden, El Hassan El

doi:10.1080/21564574.2008.9635573

Cited by 9 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 28 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The method of direct observation used in the present study was simple and convenient, compared to several other experimental methods, for example, the use of feces as consumption indices, which has high risks of error due to comparable digestibility of different plant species, generating thus difficulties in identifying consumed vegetal species (Rouag et al 2008, Meek 2010, Loss et al 2020. The preference was primarily recorded for Brassicaceae: four vegetal species consumed), then Fabaceae: two vegetal species consumed, while the tortoises' preference was less for the Lamiaceae, Malvaceae, Orobanchacea, Resedaceae and Poaceae: one vegetal species consumed from each family (Fig.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The food availability estimates are carried out, using the Braun-Blanquet and Pavillard (1929) categories (Rouag et al 2008):…”

Section: Research Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The nomenclature of this subspecies has been recently revisited, being T. g. whitei attributed to the subspecies present in the North of Algeria, NE Morocco, and Spain (previously named T. g. graeca, Turtle Taxonomy Working Group 2021). The feeding ecology of T. g. whitei has been little studied in the Mediterranean sphere (Andreu 1987, Cobo andAndreu 1988), with a few studies done in North Africa (El Mouden et al 2006, Hichami andZnari 2019), while only one study in the northeast of Algeria was noted (Rouag et al 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Feeding Behaviour of a Testudo Graeca Whitei Population in Mergueb Nature Reserve, Algeria

Adel

2022

J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The food availability estimates are carried out, using the Braun-Blanquet and Pavillard (1929) categories (Rouag et al 2008):…”

Section: Research Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Feeding Behaviour of a Testudo Graeca Whitei Population in Mergueb Nature Reserve, Algeria

Adel

2022

J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Due to controversial issues recording tortoise phylogenetic position of Chelonia [ 11 , 29 ], we here investigated exclusively faecal samples from terrestrial and major-herbivore species [ 30 – 35 ]. All analysed tortoises belonged to the family Testudinae [ 11 , 29 ] and contained mainly European species (773 out of 1005 tortoises).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BackgroundExotic reptiles such as tortoises, have become increasingly common domestic pets worldwide and are known to host different gastrointestinal parasites. Some of these parasites bear zoonotic potential. In the present survey, we parasitologically examined tortoise faecal samples (n = 1005) from 19 different species held as pets in private German households and German zoological gardens.MethodsSaline faecal smears were used to generate prevalence data for potentially health-compromising gastrointestinal parasites. In addition, we performed complete parasitological dissections of dead tortoises (n = 49) to estimate endoparasite burdens precisely.ResultsAnalysed tortoise faecal samples contained a broad spectrum of endoparasites. We detected ten taxa of endoparasites; oxyurid nematodes (e.g. Tachygonetria spp.) were the most prevalent parasites in faecal samples (43.18%), followed by ascarids (Angusticaecum spp.) (0.01%), Hexamita spp. (0.007%), Balantidium spp. (0.007%), trichomonads (0.004%), Strongyloides spp. (0.003%), Entamoeba spp. (0.005%), Hartmanella spp. (0.001%), Blastocystis spp. (0.002%), heterakids (0.001%) and Trimitus spp. (0.001%). Additionally, we investigated dead tortoise individuals (n = 49; of 10 different species) for aetiological diagnosis and estimation of endoparasite burden. Of these individuals, 38 (77.6%) were infected with parasites and 14 (28.6%) of them died most probably due to severe parasitic infection. Oxyurid infections correlated positively with calcium deficiency and metabolic bone disease (MBD) as well as nephrosis/nephritis, mainly occurring in juvenile tortoises (< 5 years of age).ConclusionsThe saline faecal smear technique proved to be efficient in detecting different metazoan and protozoan parasite stages in tortoise faeces. The prevalence of oxyurid infections was particularly high. In combination with pathological findings in clinical oxyuridosis obtained from necropsied animals, our findings call for further, detailed investigations on pathogenesis and immunology of oxyurids in pet reptiles. Coprological analyses for parasite detection should be mandatory before tortoises are transferred to a new owner, animal group, or public and private enclosures such as zoos. We advocate for regular health screenings in pet tortoises and, if parasitic infections are diagnosed, adequate medication or alternative hygiene management should be considered to improve and maintain individual and population health.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-2936-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

show abstract

“…which cover more than 75 % of the area (Rouag, 2008). Th e presence of dwarf palm (Chamaerops humilis) on site provides an important refuge for thermoregulation and shelter against predators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Home Range of the Spur-Thighed Tortoise, Testudo graeca (Testudines, Testudinidae), in the National Park of El Kala, Algeria

Rouag¹,

Ziane²,

Benyacoub³

2017

Vestnik Zoologii

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Home Range of the Spur-Th ighed Tortoise, Testudo graeca (Testudines, Testudinidae), in the National Park of El Kala, Algeria. Rouag, R., Ziane, N., Benyacoub, S. -Spur-thighed tortoise is a vulnerable species, the local declines of populations require an imperative need for conservation. Research on habitat use is essential for understanding population ecology. To investigate the home range and movement patterns we studied a population which occupies an enclosed area of 30 ha in northeastern Algeria. Studies of movement showed that home ranges were substantially smaller than in Spain. Th is diff erence was due to the high trophic availability with signifi cant richness in plants which make part of the diet of the tortoise. Th e home range varied from 0.287 ha in males to 0.354 ha for females; there was no sexual diff erence. Th e males are the most active with a distance of 3.79 m/d. Females and juveniles are respectively about 2.25 m/d and 2.11 m/d. Th e distance moved each day do not vary signifi cantly by sex and ages. Results from this study are important for establishing conservation strategies for this vulnerable species.

show abstract

Food choice of an Algerian population of the spur‐thighed tortoise,Testudo graeca

Cited by 9 publications

References 28 publications

Feeding Behaviour of a Testudo Graeca Whitei Population in Mergueb Nature Reserve, Algeria

Feeding Behaviour of a Testudo Graeca Whitei Population in Mergueb Nature Reserve, Algeria

Occurrence of health-compromising protozoan and helminth infections in tortoises kept as pet animals in Germany

Home Range of the Spur-Thighed Tortoise, Testudo graeca (Testudines, Testudinidae), in the National Park of El Kala, Algeria

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About