Testudo hermanni (Gmelin 1789) – Hermann’s Tortoise

Abstract

Hermann's Tortoise, Testudo hermanni (Family Testudinidae), is a medium-sized terrestrial species (average carapace length ca. 130 to 180 mm), widespread in the European Mediterranean region. Currently two subspecies are distinguished: T. h. hermanni in Western Europe and T. h. boettgeri in Eastern Europe, the border between them being the Po Valley in northeastern Italy. The species inhabits most Mediterranean vegetation habitats, but typically semi-open formations of stony, sun-drenched hills with low and sparse vegetation and grass. Some East European populations are found at up to 1300 m of elevation, but most populations are below 500 m. Sexual dimorphism is moderate, with females on average 12% larger than males. A morphological distinction from most other tortoise species is the presence of a horny claw-like scale at the tip of the tail that is more developed in males than in females. The maximum number of clutches laid annually is 3, but most frequent are 1 to 2 clutches per year. Maximum clutch size is 7 eggs for T. h. hermanni and 9 eggs for T. h. boettgeri, with a mean clutch size of 3.3 and 4.3 eggs, respectively. Annual survival of adults is estimated to range from 85 to 97%. Most western populations of the species are in strong decline and have very restricted distributions. Eastern populations appear to be more stable, though some populations also show a strong decline. Primary threats are destruction and alteration of habitats (mostly by forest fires, expansion of human settlements and infrastructure, and changes to traditional use of forest, pastoral practices, and agriculture), harvesting for the pet trade, and increases in the population size of native predators (mainly mammal carnivores and wild boars). Proposed conservation measures include habitat restoration and improvement, creation of reserves to protect the species, and environmental education. Captive breeding and reintroduction programs are necessary only for the most threatened populations. distribution. -Turkey. Fragmented distribution in southern Europe from northeastern coastal Spain and southern coastal France through much of Italy, and more continuous in the Balkan Peninsula, extending eastward to European Turkey. Distributed also in most western Mediterranean islands (Balearics, Corsica, Tuscan Archipelago, Sardinia, and Sicily) as well as some eastern islands (Ionian and Euboea). synonyMy. -Testudo hermanni Gmelin 1789, Testudo hermanni hermanni, Protestudo hermanni, Agrionemys hermanni, Eurotestudo hermanni, Testudo graeca bettai Lataste 1881, Testudo hermanni robertmertensi Wermuth 1952. subspecies. -Two currently recognized: 1) Testudo hermanni hermanni (Western Hermann's Tortoise) (synonymy: Testudo hermanni robertmertensi, Eurotestudo hermanni) (distribution: Western Europe from Spain through western and southern Italy); and 2) Testudo hermanni boettgeri (Eastern Hermann's Tortoise) (synonymy: Testudo graeca boettgeri Mojsisovics 1889, Testudo boettgeri, Eurotestudo boettgeri, Testudo graeca hercegovinensis Werner 1899, Te...

Conservation of the endangered Mediterranean tortoise Testudo hermanni hermanni: The contribution of population genetics and historical demography

“…Firstly, this population currently occupies a limited geographical area of less than 150 km 2 , which is fragmented into small patches. Moreover, in the last 30 years, marked signs of decline have been evidenced by very low population densities (0.3 individuals/ha for the whole distribution range, Bertolero, 2014b, and 0.6 in the core area, Couturier et al, 2014), as well as contraction of the surface area of the distribution range, mainly due to forest fires, habitat destruction, illegal harvesting and intense predation by carnivores and wild boar, particularly impacting juveniles and nests (Vilardell et al, 2012). According to several studies, the current low density that characterizes this population indicates that it is rather close to extinction (Budó et al, 2004;Bertolero, 2010aBertolero, , 2010b).…”

“…pers. ;Bertolero, 2014b). Further study of Mallorca's tortoise populations would be crucial for a better understanding of the colonization scenarios of the Balearic Islands.…”

Knowledge of habitat preferences applied to habitat management: the case of an endangered tortoise population

“…The western Hermann's tortoise has a highly fragmented and reduced distribution which includes a single native population in northern Iberian Peninsula, within the Albera mountain range (eastern Pyrenees, hereafter, Albera population). There are different factors currently blamed for the endangerment of western Hermann's tortoise, mainly illegal harvesting, road casualties, wildfires, high nest and young predation, and habitat loss arising from land use changes (Cheylan, 1984; Guyot and Clobert, 1997; Longepierre and Grenot, 1998;van Dijk et al, 2004;Vilardell et al, 2008;Bertolero, 2010;Bertolero et al, 2011;Couturier et al, 2014). Tortoises are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss and fragmentation (Pough, 2004).…”

Seasonal habitat preference by the flagship species Testudo hermanni: Implications for the conservation of coastal dunes

“…The habitat preferences of this species have been investigated in a variety of habitats, from coastal dunes [8,20,21] to rural landscapes [22], while habitat preference studies taking into account the seasonal utilization of the different vegetation types are still necessary [23].…”