Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://biore.bio.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3489
Title: Where do ninja tortoise live – Agility variation in Hermann’s torotises
Authors: Golubović, Ana 
Arsovski, Dragan
Tomović, Ljiljana 
Issue Date: Sep-2013
Start page: 51
Conference: 9th “Ecology & Behaviour” Meeting
Abstract: 
Armour of some terrestrial tetrapod's (e.g. tortoises, armadillos) confronts advantages of
protection against predators with its negative effect on mobility. Although these animals
typically live in flat environment, populations from rugged habitats are challenged to cross
various obstacles in their daily movements. To examine variation in mobility of Hermann's
tortoises, we set up identical agility experiments in two neighbouring populations from
Prespa Lake region (FRY Macedonia). One population is at the rugged Golem Grad Island,
covered with rocks and boulders, and the other is at the Konjsko village, characterized with
gentle slopes covered with gravels and herbaceous vegetation. We observed the
behaviour of both populations' adults throughout three tests: confronting the edge of a
height obstacle (at 50 and 80 cm), as well as righting behaviour performance when
overturned on their backs. We found significant behavioural differences in imposed
situations, both between localities and genders. Animals from the rugged environment
were more prone to jump from the height obstacles (especially convincing at 80 cm
height), and were more successful in flipping back over to the upward position. In females
from the flat habitat we found a negative correlation of body size with all measured
performances (primarily righting). Differences in tortoise's time management during
experiment occurred between localities just for one of the tests, possibly due to the
thermal conditions. Considerable differences in agility observed between tested
populations could be a result of the contrasting habitat configurations that these animals
inhabit. In the rugged environment, tortoises are faced with negative obstacles on a daily
basis and occasionally find themselves in an overturned position. Animals from the flat
environment are possibly not as experienced. These findings could have conservational
value, drawing attention to the importance of animals' familiarization with habitats'
landscape configurations, especially when planning translocations.
Description: 
Book of Abstracts, p. 51
URI: https://biore.bio.bg.ac.rs/handle/123456789/3489
Appears in Collections:Conference abstract

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