Tortoise (Reptilia, Testudinidae) radiations in Southern Africa from the Eocene to the present.

Zoologica Scripta 46(4): 389-400

Abstract:

Africa, inclusive of the West Indian Ocean islands, harbours 11 of the world's 16 extant testudinid genera. Fossil records indicate that testudinids originated in Asia and dispersed first to North America and Europe (Early Eocene) and later to Africa (Late Eocene). We used mitochondrial (1870 bp) and nuclear (1416 bp) DNA sequence data to assess whether molecular data support the late cladogenesis of Southern African testudinid lineages. Our results revealed strong support for the monophyly of a clade consisting of Kinixys, the two Malagasy genera and four Southern African genera (Psammobates, Stigmochelys, Homopus and Chersina). Kinixys diverged from this clade in the Late Palaeocene, suggesting that testudinids occupied Africa at an earlier date than indicated by fossil records. The Southern African tortoises consist of three, strongly supported clades: Psammobates + Stigmochelys; the five-toed Homopus + Chersina; and the four-toed Homopus. Due to the paraphyly of Homopus, we propose the taxonomic resurrection of Chersobius for the five-toed Homopus species (boulengeri, signatus and solus). Cladogenesis at the genus level occurred mainly in the Eocene, with Chersina and Chersobius diverging in the Oligocene. The latter divergence coincided with species-level radiations within Homopus (areolatus and femoralis) and Psammobates (oculifer, geometricus and tentorius). Our phylogeny could not resolve relationships within Psammobates, indicating rapid speciation between the Late Oligocene and Early Miocene. The Chersobius species were the last to diverge in the Early to Mid-Miocene. By the Mid-Miocene, P. tentorius started to differentiate into four lineages instead of the three recognized subspecies: P. t. tentorius, P. t. trimeni and two P. t. verroxii subclades occurring north and south of the Orange River, respectively. Terminal radiations in several taxa suggest the existence of cryptic species and a more diverse tortoise fauna than currently recognized. Factors contributing to this diversity may include the early origin of African testudinids and climatic fluctuations over a heterogeneous landscape.

hofmeyr-biblio

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Samstag, 23 September 2023 15:22

SEIDEL, M.E. & ERNST, C. H. (1996)

Catalogue of American Amphibians and Reptiles: Pseudemys 625.1-7.

Published by the Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.

Volltext: https://repositories.lib.utexas.edu/bitstream/handle/2152/45310/0625_Pseudemys.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y

The Catalogue (Print ISSN: 2325-4882; Online ISSN: 2325-5021) consists of accounts of taxa prepared by specialists, including synonymy, description, diagnosis, phylogenetic relationships, published descriptions, illustrations, distribution map, and comprehensive list of literature for each taxon. Over 900 accounts have been published since the initiation of the series in 1963. The series covers amphibians and reptiles of the entire Western Hemisphere. Previously, accounts were published as loose-leaf separates; beginning in 2013 accounts are published as on-line PDFs.


All accounts are open access and are available for free download at the University of Texas Library Repository.

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PETZOLD, A., VARGAS-RAMIREZ, M., KEHLMAIER, C., VAMBERGER, M., BRANCH, DU PREEZ, L.,  HOFMEYR, M. D., MEYER,L., SCHLEICHER, A., ŠIROKÝ P. & FRITZ, U. (2014)

A revision of African helmeted terrapins (Testudines: Pelomedusidae: Pelomedusa), with descriptions of six new species.

Zootaxa 3795 (5): 523–548. doi: 10.11646/zootaxa.3795.5.2e

Abstract:

Using nearly range-wide sampling, we analyze up to 1848 bp of mitochondrial DNA of 183 helmeted terrapins and identify a minimum of 12 deeply divergent species-level clades. Uncorrected p distances of these clades equal or clearly exceed those between the currently recognized species of Pelusios, the genus most closely related to Pelomedusa. We correlate genetic discontinuities of Pelomedusa with data on morphology and endoparasites and describe six new Pelomedusa species. Moreover, we restrict the name Pelomedusa subrufa (Bonnaterre, 1789) to one genetic lineage and resurrect three further species from its synonymy, namely P. galeata (Schoepff, 1792), P. gehafie (Rüppell, 1835), and P. olivacea (Schweigger, 1812). In addition to these ten Pelomedusa species, we identify two further clades from Cameroon and Sudan with similar levels of genetic divergence that remain unnamed candidate species. We also note that some problematical terrapins from South Africa and Somalia may represent two additional candidate species. Some of the Pelomedusa species are morphologically distinctive, whilst others can only be identified by molecular markers and are therefore morphologically cryptic taxa.

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Dienstag, 05 April 2022 08:01

SANDMEIER, P. (2019)

Minimal-invasive Kastration von männlichen europäischen Landschildkröten.

Testudo (SIGS), 28(2): 20-25.

Volltext: https://www.sigs.ch/clubdesk/fileservlet?id=1000174

Einleitung:

Die Tatsache, dass es einen deutlichen Überschuss an männlichen europäischen Landschildkröten in der Schweiz gibt, sowie die oft beschränkte Gehegegrösse und der ausgeprägte Geschlechtstrieb der männlichen Schildkröten führen zu diversen Problemen. Die unkastrierten männlichen Landschildkröten verursachen eine ständige Unruhe im Gehege. Die Weibchen werden dauerhaft bedrängt und immer wieder entstehen mechanische Schäden am Carapax oder Deckverletzungen im Bereich der Kloake. Weiter führt das Aggressivitätsverhalten zwischen Männchen ebenfalls zu Bissverletzungen sowie eine deutliche Unruhe innerhalb der Gruppe. Diverse Methoden der chemischen Kastration wurden in den letzten Jahren erprobt. Leider haben weder das Verabreichen von weiblichen Hormonen noch dasjenige von Hormonen der Hirnanhangsdrüse zu einem erwünschten, voraussagbaren Erfolg geführt. In den letzten Jahren wurde die Technik der minimal-invasiven Endoskop-assistierten Kastration entwickelt.

sandmeier-biblio

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Sonntag, 30 Januar 2022 15:46

AZA (2018)

Radiated Tortoise SAFE Program Plan.

22  Seiten.

Volltext (PDF)

Auszug:

AZA institutions that participated in Radiated Tortoise conservation in 2015 and 2016 focused their efforts on raising awareness, capacity building/training, assurance populations, reintroduction, population management, behavior/ethology, anti-poaching/patrolling, disaster emergency response and animal health. The AZA institutions included in the 2015 and 2016 ARCS database spent a total of $200,645 on 11 projects for the Radiated Tortoise over those two years.

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Sonntag, 15 November 2020 14:07

PLETZER, A. (2015)

Grundlagen für ein Erhaltungszucht-Programm für die nördliche Batagur-Schildkröte Batagur baska (Gray, 1830) (Reptilia: Testudines: Geoemydidae).

148 Bl. : Zsfassungen (2 Bl.) ; Ill., graph. Darst.
Graz, Univ., Masterarb., 2015

Zusammenfassung:

Zur Erhaltung der hochgradig gefährdeten nördlichen Batagur-Schildkröte (Batagur baska) ist ein umfassender Managementplan notwendig, damit ein gesundes weiteres Überleben der Tiere und eine spätere Auswilderung möglich ist. In der vorliegenden Arbeit wird zuerst ein Überblick über den aktuellen Bestand, sowie zu Biologie, Gefährdung, Schutz und Zuchterfolge gegeben. Zur Dokumentation aller vorhandenen Daten der Individuen in menschlicher Obhut, ein „Studbook“ (Zuchtbuch) konzipiert, womit es in Zukunft auch leichter möglich sein wird, Analysen der Populationsentwicklung zu erstellen und Änderungen des Bestandes und der Struktur nachzuverfolgen. Darauf aufbauend wurde mithilfe des Programms VORTEX eine PVA (Population Viability Analysis) für diese Art durchgeführt, bei der verschiedene Modelle zur Überlebensfähigkeit der Populationen berechnet wurden. Aufgrund der unzureichenden Datenlage sind die Ergebnisse dieser Modelle aber nur bedingt aussagekräftig. Für den Entwurf zukünftiger Vorgehensweisen wurden Fragestellungen formuliert, deren Beantwortung für einen strukturierten Managementplan erforderlich ist. Vor allem die Klärung der Verwandtschaftsverhältnisse von Zuchttieren untereinander sowie genetischer regionaler Unterschiede ist für eine Erstellung von geeigneten Zuchtplänen dringend notwendig. Des Weiteren wurden anhand umfassender Literaturrecherchen und mit aktuellen Erkenntnissen aus genetischen Analysen konkrete Handlungsempfehlungen abgeleitet. Generell kann gesagt werden, dass Batagur baska innerhalb eines Erhaltungszuchtprogramms wahrscheinlich eine genügend hohe Gendiversität erhalten kann, um nicht durch Inzuchtdepression vom Aussterben bedroht zu sein. Die Frage, ob noch genügend genetische Variabilität für eine erfolgreiche Wiederansiedelung vorhanden ist, kann hingegen aufgrund der vorliegenden Daten nicht beantwortet werden.

Summary:

For preservation of the rare and threatened turtle species Batagur baska a comprehensive management plan is necessary, so that a healthy survival and subsequent reintroduction is possible. For this purpose, an overview of the current population size, as well as a summary of the biology, hazards, protection and breeding success of the species is given. For documentation of all individuals in captivity, an International Studbook is created to facilitate subsequent analyses of populations and record and track changes of the structure of the population therein. Based on this data, the program VORTEX was used to conduct a PVA (population viability analysis), where various models with different input parameters were calculated. Due to insufficient data, the results of these models are only of limited significance. For the development of future conservation strategies, the most important open questions were identified. The clarification of relationships between the breeding animals and a better knowledge concerning regional differences of the genetic variability is essential for the establishment of suitable breeding plans. Furthermore, additional recommendations for species protection were derived from literature data and by evaluating results of the genomic analyses. Batagur baska is likely to maintain sufficient genetic diversity within a conservation breeding program in order to avoid the threat of extinction because of inbreeding depression. However, it remains unclear whether the genetic variability is sufficient for a successful reintroduction of the species in the wild.

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Samstag, 07 März 2020 11:27

REHÁK, I. (2020)

The great turtle rescue.

ZOOQUARIA 107:  22-23.

Aus dem Inhalt: 

On 11 December 2001, during a joint operation of the Customs Ship Search and Cargo Command and the Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department,  about 10,000 live South East Asiatic turtles were seized in Hong Kong. The shipment, originally destined for the Chinese food market, had an estimated market value of $3.2 million. The conservation and scientific value of the confiscated animals, as well as the ethical aspects of the situation, were enormous, and incalculable in monetary terms. Turtles were placed at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in Hong Kong. It was an incredible job to take care of such a quantity of mostly damaged, wounded and ill turtles. The wider international cooperation proved to be essential in reducing at least in part the suffering of the turtles. EAZA’s swift reaction and the international rescue that followed were exemplary. The superb cooperation between the Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, TSA and EAZA – namely the EAZA Executive Office, ARTAG, Rotterdam Zoo and 26 other zoos in 11 countries – resulted in the successful import of 988 turtles (285 Cuora amboinensis, 126 Orlitia borneensis, 283 Heosemys spinosa, 90 Heosemys grandis, 204 Siebenrockiells crassicollis) and their consequent housing in individual zoos. During the rescue operation, which attracted a huge amount of publicity and media coverage, EAZA demonstrated its ability to carry out a complicated international operation with speed and efficiency, and we can be rightly proud of that.

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Samstag, 10 Juni 2017 13:59

GERLACH, J. (2008).

Pelusios subniger parietalis Bour 1983 – Seychelles black mud turtle.

In: Rhodin, A.G.J., Pritchard, P.C.H., van Dijk, P.P., Saumure, R.A., Buhlmann, K.A., and Iverson, J.B. (Eds.). Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Research Monographs No. 5, pp. 016.1-016.4, doi:10.3854/crm.5.016.parietalis.v1.2008, http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/cbftt/. http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/cbftt/.

Zusammenfassung:

The Seychelles subspecies of black mud turtle, Pelusios subniger parietalis (Family Pelomedusidae), is restricted to six islands of the Seychelles group. Five breeding populations exist and the wild population was estimated to be about 660 adults in 2005. Populations continue to decline due to ongoing marsh drainage. Legal protection of wetland habitats is urgently required and ongoing reintroduction to protected areas need to continue to secure the future of this species.

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Mittwoch, 07 Juni 2017 16:14

RHODIN; A.G.J. & GENORUPA, V.R. (2000).

Conservation Status of Freshwater Turtles in Papua New Guinea.

Asian Turtle Trade: Proceedings of a Workshop on Conservation and Trade of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises in Asia
P.P. van Dijk, B.L. Stuart, and A.G.J. Rhodin, Eds.
Chelonian Research Monographs 2:129–136

General Comments:

Trade in turtles from PNG is strictly regulated by law as proscribed by the Fauna (Protection and Control) Act (Parker, 1981) (this Act is currently in the process of being amended). Papua New Guinea is also a CITES signatory since 1975. All exports of all turtles require permits to be issued by the Conservator of Fauna (currently the Dept. of Environment and Conservation). No turtles are listed by PNG as Protected Species, which would limit legal permitted export to at most 4 animals to legitimate approved zoological institutions. However, all marine turtles and two freshwater turtles, C. insculpta and P. bibroni are listed as Restricted Species, with narrow guidelines limiting any legal export to only a few animals for legitimate scientific purposes. The rest of the non-protected and non-restricted turtle species may be exported only with issued export permits, and then only for approved legitimate scientific and zoological purposes. Export of curios incorporating wildlife parts (e.g., turtle shell masks) also requires export permits.

At least on paper, PNG protects its wildlife and turtle resources fervently from export, with proper concern for their continued utilization at the local level by the native population. Unfortunately, control and enforcement of these regulations is badly lacking, and very few export permits for turtles are actually issued. A search of permits issued during the last 3 years yielded evidence of only a single specimen of E. subglobosa exported to Hawaii in 1996. Permits were also previously obtained in 1987 for export of one C. novaeguineae (actually C. pritchardi), and in 1977 for a few specimens each of C. siebenrocki, C. novaeguineae, E. subglobosa, and E. novaeguineae, with only one specimen each of C. insculpta and P. bibroni (AGJR, pers. obs.).

Trade in New Guinea turtles at present appears to be restricted primarily to the international exotic pet industry. There appear to be significant levels of illegal export trade along the southern PNG – Irian border, as described above for the different species traded along this route. Some of this trade may pass through Daru, an off-shore regional port and air facility with a long history of illegal wildlife trade and also a major regional market for the sale of marine turtle meat. No similar trade appears to occur along the northern PNG – Irian border. The reasons for the difference reflect the higher levels of border control present along the northern border. Illegal export via air or ship from major ports such as Port Moresby probably also occurs, especially for vulnerable species like C. pritchardi which occurs close to Port Moresby. The Dept. of Environment and Conservation has inadequate manpower and resources to inspect and control these probable avenues of illegal trade.

As mentioned above for E. novaeguineae, the international food trade does not yet appear to have significantly impacted populations of turtles in New Guinea. However, as populations of heavily traded species in southeast Asia are depleted, the export routes for the pet trade currently emanating from New Guinea will probably convert and begin to trade increasing amounts of turtles primarily for the food trade. If the freshwater turtle fauna of Papua New Guinea is to continue to survive as a viable and sustainable resource base for utilization by the native population, and if we are to avoid the consumption of this resource in international exotic pet and food markets, then stricter adherence to existing laws and necessary control and inspection at probable export sites needs urgently to be implemented.

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Chelodina oblonga Gray 1841 – Northern Snake-Necked Turtle.

In: Rhodin, A.G.J., Pritchard, P.C.H., van Dijk, P.P., Saumure, R.A., Buhlmann, K.A., Iverson, J.B., and Mittermeier, R.A. (Eds.). Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. Chelonian Research Monographs No. 5, pp. 077.1–13, doi:10.3854/crm.5.077.oblonga.v1.2014, http://www.iucn-tftsg.org/cbftt/.

Summary:

The Northern Snake-necked Turtle, Chelodina (Macrochelodina) oblonga (Family Chelidae), until very recently known as C. (M.) rugosa, is a fairly large freshwater turtle (carapace length to 360 mm) with a broad distribution in tropical northern Australia and southern New Guinea. Its preferred habitats are seasonal wetlands on the coastal floodplains and adjacent hinterlands. These habitats undergo extensive flooding during the tropical wet season, with declining water levels during the following dry season; many waterholes dry completely. The species survives the dry season by migrating to permanent water or by estivating under the mud of dried waterholes. It is a highly prized food item among Aboriginal people, and turtles are collected each year in a harvest that has occurred for many millennia. The species is exclusively carnivorous and feeds on a range of fast-moving aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, and fish. It is a highly fecund, fast-growing, and early-maturing species in comparison to most other Australian chelids. Its habit of nesting underwater makes it unique among all turtles. Nesting commences in the wet season (February) and is mostly complete by July (mid-dry season), though gravid females can be found as late as September if waterholes remain inundated. Eggs are laid in holes dug in mud under shallow water in the littoral zone of flooded waterholes. Embryonic development remains arrested while the nest remains flooded, but recommences when floodwaters recede and the ground dries. Embryonic development proceeds during the dry season and hatchling emergence coincides with the heavy rainfall or flooding in the following wet season. The species remains common in all the major river systems across northern Australia and southern New Guinea, and is sustainably harvested for traditional consumption in Australia, but is under some threat there from pig predation.

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