Search Results (3)

Bilateral symmetry is quite common in animals, but in some cases, asymmetry can be altered by hereditary or developmental processes. Symmetry may be preserved, or asymmetry may increase as the developmental stages progress. This study applied geometric morphometric analyses at the juvenile and adult stages to investigate directional asymmetry and fluctuating asymmetry in turtle shells. In total, 71 turtle shells (46 adults, 25 juveniles) of Testudo hermanni boettgeri were used. These turtle shells were recorded using the Generalized Procrustes method to interpret developmental asymmetry. A covariance matrix was then applied, followed by principal component analysis. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to explain individual variation. The procedures were applied and interpreted separately to the carapace and plastron. Specific structures, such as the nuchal and neural plates, exhibited a narrower shape than the mean shape configuration in directional asymmetry. The epiplastron region showed significant enlargement in juveniles compared to adults, potentially linked to developmental growth. This study investigated fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and directional asymmetry (DA) in turtle shells by analyzing the carapace and plastron. Although wavy asymmetry was not statistically significant overall, localized shape differences between the edges of the coastal and neural plates of the carapace and the edges of the plastron were observed. The side effects showed statistical significance (p = 0.0005). Environmental or developmental factors may have influenced these differences. Directional asymmetry was statistically significant for the carapace and plastron, indicating consistent shape changes associated with developmental growth. This study revealed significant directional asymmetry in the carapace and plastron of Testudo hermanni boettgeri, reflecting consistent developmental trends. Full article

Monitoring of infections that may be transmitted to humans by animals in wildlife rescue centres is very important in order to protect the staff engaged in rehabilitation practices. Salmonella may be a natural inhabitant of the intestinal tract of turtles, rarely causing disease. This may represent a potential risk for humans, increasing the sanitary risk for operators in wildlife rescue centres. In this paper, the occurrence of non-typhoidal Salmonella among terrestrial turtles housed in a wildlife rescue centre in Southern Italy was investigated, in order to assess the serovars more frequently carried by turtles and identify those that may represent a risk for operators involved in wildlife management. Sixty-nine adult turtles (Testudo hermanni hermanni, T. h. boettgeri, T. graeca, and T. marginata) were tested. Detection and serotyping of Salmonella strains were performed according to ISO 6579-1 and ISO/TR 6579-3:2013, respectively. The distribution of Salmonella spp. was significantly higher in T. hermanni hermanni than in other species, independent of the age and gender of the animals. Two different Salmonella species, S. enterica and S. bongori, three S. enterica subspecies (enterica, diarizonae, salamae), and five different serovars (Hermannswerder, Abony, Ferruch, Richmond, Vancouver) within the group S. enterica subspecies enterica were identified. Different combinations of Salmonella types were simultaneously found in specimens of T. h. hermanni. Most of detected Salmonella types may represent a potential risk for public health. Adopting correct animal husbandry procedures and informing on potential sanitary risks may be useful for minimising the risk of transmission of Salmonella to workers involved in wildlife management. Full article

Testudines show phenotypic plasticity, and variation among specific populations within a species is widespread. Morphological differences between populations may reflect ecological factors that drive adaptation to local conditions. In this context, we gathered basic data on the morphology of the Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri Mojsisovits, 1889) to document their variation across different geographical regions. We surveyed Hermann’s tortoises in five different locales within Albania during April and May 2020 and measured 20 morphological characteristics, including carapace and plastron dimensions. We measured 188 tortoises (81 males, 107 females) in this study, and females were larger (p = 0.0001) and heavier (p = 0.0001) than males. Mean straight carapace length (SCL) and body mass were 172.4 mm and 1128.8 g, respectively, for females, and 151.3 mm and 735 g, respectively, for males. The Albanian T. h. boettgeri were regionally diverged into three different populations that were situated in northern (Shkodra), central (Tirana, Berati, and Ballshi), and southern (Saranda) Albania. The body size (curved carapace length (CCL)) of females was positively correlated (r = 0.216; p = 0.025) with the latitude, in accordance with Bergmann’s rule. However, there was no correlation between body size and latitude in males. These striking regional differences among Albanian T. h. boettgeri strongly suggest that further study of molecular variations and reproductive output of Hermann’s tortoises is warranted. Full article