Search Results (97)

The Spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) is a long-lived terrestrial reptile listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List and protected under CITES Appendix II. As an ecosystem engineer, it plays a vital role in Mediterranean landscapes, yet it frequently faces anthropogenic pressures in urban environments. This study provides an ecological and ethological assessment of a captive T. graeca population (n = 42) in the historical Münire Madrasa Handicrafts Bazaar in Kastamonu, Türkiye. The methodology integrated spatial carrying capacity modeling (Boullon model), systematic ethogram-based observations (120 h), and ethnozoological surveys (n = 200). Spatial analysis revealed that the population exceeds the corrected Real Carrying Capacity (RCC ≈ 10) by four times (Overcapacity Index: 4.2) within the 70 m² area. Ethological findings documented chronic stress, with stereotypic pacing (H1) occupying 32% of the time budget, alongside a significant loss of anti-predator mechanisms due to anthropogenic habituation (İ1). While stakeholders (100%, 95% CI: 98.1–100%) perceive the tortoises as cultural symbols of abundance, the biological reality indicates severe welfare risks, including potential metabolic bone disease from a monotonous anthropogenic diet and a disrupted Ca:P ratio. The site is categorized as a ‘High-Constraint Interaction Zone’. We propose a management transition toward a monitored ‘Urban Wildlife Education Station’ to align local cultural values with international animal welfare and conservation standards. Full article

Climate change is radically altering the Earth’s natural ecosystems, with temperature/precipitation alterations resulting in mismatches between specific ecosystems and their ‘new’ climatic profiles. Without political action to curb greenhouse gas emissions, most plant/animal species will need to move to higher latitudes to ensure survival. Many are incapable of migrating rapidly and will thus be reliant on human intervention to relocate to new regions (assisted migration). The first hypothetical steps of assisted migration are explored here, using the UK as a model. Urban parks/gardens have a history of hosting non-native plant species and could be used to test the validity of moving non-native plants and animals to regions of higher latitude. In this perspective paper, we added a small experimental component to examine public attitudes to species introductions into urban parks/gardens. Results showed support for using parks and gardens to protect both UK native and non-native wildlife. Indeed, >50% of respondents favoured utilising urban landscapes to conserve small non-native animals (e.g., tortoises and bee-eaters). These results imply there may be some public acceptance of assisted migration. Thus, the paper explores the potential to develop novel, but more sustainable ecosystems in new localities. Full article

The Xingqi (行气, breath circulation) pattern bronze mirrors of the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE) represent a distinctive category of Daoist material culture in southern China. Despite their unique iconography, systematic research on their functions and religious significance has been lacking. This study examines sixteen Xingqi pattern bronze mirrors through iconographic analysis and textual research, integrating evidence from surviving Daoist scriptures and ritual manuals. Two primary types are identified: the “Tortoise-Swallowing and Crane-Breathing Style” and the “Sun and Moon Observing Style”. The former depicts practitioners imitating the breathing techniques of tortoises and cranes, while the latter shows figures gazing upward to ingest the essences of the sun and moon. Both motifs continue earlier health preservation traditions from the Pre-Qin (221–207 BCE) through Han dynasties, adapted within the Northern and Southern Song context. These mirrors were specifically used by Daoists along the middle Yangtze River for inner alchemy cultivation, particularly in visualized Cunsi (存思, contemplation practices). They were predominantly passed down through generations rather than buried, explaining their scarcity in archaeological contexts. These artifacts illuminate how Song Daoism translated abstract philosophical concepts into tangible, operable practices through material imagery. They provide new physical evidence for understanding historical Daoist cultivation methods and the materialization of religious experience. Full article

In August 2023, a large forest fire burned more than 60% of the Dadia–Lefkimi–Soufli Forest National Park in northeastern Greece, following another large fire in 2022. To quantify the effects of these fires on local herpetofauna, we analyzed community composition, abundance, and diversity before and after the 2023 event. Standardized visual encounter surveys were conducted across 29 sites between 2015 and 2024, spanning burned and unburned areas. Species richness, abundance, and diversity metrics, together with Bray–Curtis community dissimilarities, were compared across sampling periods and fire-severity classes. Amphibian assemblages showed high postfire persistence, with 82% of regional species still detected and no significant changes in diversity indices, likely reflecting the buffering role of perennial streams and other hydrologically stable refugia. In contrast, reptile communities showed clear compositional shifts and experienced severe declines: overall reptile species richness decreased to 30% of prefire levels and diversity indices dropped significantly. Tortoises (i.e., Testudo graeca, T. hermanni) declined by nearly 90% relative to prefire estimates, indicating high vulnerability of low-mobility, long-lived species. Snakes were not detected in any burned sites, whereas only a few small-bodied lizards and the freshwater turtle Mauremys rivulata persisted locally. These findings demonstrate that extreme, landscape-scale fires can restructure reptile communities in Mediterranean forests, particularly where long-term habitat change and drought had already reduced population resilience. The study underscores the need for targeted postfire restoration, conservation planning for slow-dispersing taxa, and long-term biodiversity monitoring under increasingly frequent fire regimes. Full article

High-voltage bushings are critical insulation components, yet conventional PRPD-based severity assessment methods that rely on global pattern morphologies such as “rabbit ears” and “tortoise shell” remain coarse, lack local sensitivity, and fail to track continuous degradation. This paper proposes a dynamic severity assessment method that shifts the focus from global contours to dense partial discharge (PD) clusters, defined as high-density aggregations of PD pulses in specific phase–magnitude regions of PRPD patterns. Each dense cluster is treated as the statistical projection of a physical discharge channel, and the evolution of its number, intensity, location, and shape provides a fine-scale description of defect development. A multi-level relative density and morphological image processing algorithm is used to extract dense clusters directly from PRPD histograms, followed by a 20-dimensional feature set and a five-index system describing discharge activity, development speed, complexity, instability, and evolution trend. A fuzzy comprehensive evaluation model further converts these indices into three severity levels with confidence measures. Long-term degradation tests on defective bushings demonstrate that the proposed method captures key turning points from dispersed multi-cluster patterns to a single dominant cluster and yields a stable, stage-consistent severity evaluation, offering a more sensitive and physically interpretable tool for condition monitoring and early warning of HV bushings. The method achieved a high evaluation confidence (average 60.1%), which rose to 100% at the critical failure stage. It successfully identified three distinct degradation stages (stable, accelerated, and critical) across the 49 test intervals. A quantitative comparison demonstrated significant advantages: 8.3% improvement in early warning (4 windows earlier than IEC 60270), 50.6% higher monotonicity, 125.2% better stability, and 45.9% wider dynamic range, while maintaining physical interpretability and requiring no training data. Full article

Background: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the foundation of evidence-based medicine. However, the rapid pace of technological innovation in cardiovascular surgery and interventional cardiology challenges the traditional RCT framework. Observational studies may hold renewed value in fields where device evolution outpaces the time required to validate clinical outcomes. Methods: This analysis evaluates 270 randomized and non-randomized studies in transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI), one of the most rapidly evolving areas in cardiovascular medicine. The investigation follows two lines: first, mapping the timeline of major RCTs against the introduction of new prosthetic models; second, comparing the prevalence, duration, and role of randomized (R) versus non-randomized (NR) studies. Results: The timeline reveals a persistent misalignment between innovation and validation. New prosthetic models frequently enter the market while RCTs for prior generations are still ongoing. For example, the Sapien 3 valve was approved, while trials on Sapien XT were still enrolling. Similarly, newer Evolut and Acurate models were introduced during ongoing studies of earlier versions, often prompting new studies before existing ones concluded. This leapfrogging effect fragments the evidence base and delays definitive comparisons. In parallel, randomized trials have increased in number and tend to be shorter in duration, reflecting a maturing field. However, non-randomized studies remain crucial for early testing and post-market surveillance. Conclusions: In a field with rapid technological evolution a sort of Zeno’s paradox occurs: long-term validation cannot keep pace with fast innovation, resetting the evidence base with each new model. To overcome this paradox, a paradigm shift in evidence generation is desirable. Future strategies must augment adaptive trial designs, leverage real-world data and use higher-level, advanced analyses to incorporate subjective variables and phenotypic diversity, to reduce confounding factors and speed up data access. Higher-level, integrative evidence analytics could help Achilles walk alongside the tortoise. Full article

This study, based on the maintenance engineering of regular national and provincial highways in Shanxi Province, aims to achieve refined maintenance of aging asphalt pavements under heavy-duty traffic conditions. Lightweight inspection equipment was used to perform frequent distress collection on the study sections, and for the first time, the EPCI (Economic Pavement Surface Condition Index, which can quickly improve the overall condition level of the pavement by identifying simple two-dimensional diseases such as transverse and longitudinal joints and tortoise net cracks, and low-cost maintenance measures can be carried out through the detection data, which does not include diseases such as subsidence, which are more complex and costly.) is proposed to assess pavement distress conditions. The study conducted six high-frequency data collections over one year on the designated road sections. EPCI evaluations were carried out on each lane in different driving directions, summarizing eight types of pavement distress, including alligator cracking, block cracking, longitudinal and transverse cracking, potholes, longitudinal and transverse crack repairs, and block repairs. The development trends of EPCI and the distribution of pavement distress were analyzed. By comparing EPCI data, it was found that EPCI values in the driving lane fluctuated more stably than those in the overtaking and slow lanes, which was attributed to differences in maintenance intensity. The overall PCI data of the pavement during the COVID-19 pandemic showed that reduced maintenance activities are more conducive to analyzing the pavement’s deterioration patterns. By examining the distressed area in each lane over time, it was observed that the slow lane had the highest distribution of alligator and block cracking, while longitudinal and transverse cracking were most prevalent in the overtaking and driving lanes. Further analysis of the relationship between distressed area and EPCI suggests that controlling the distressed area to around 500 square meters per kilometer per lane can maintain the EPCI score at approximately 80. This level of maintenance is considered the most economical while ensuring satisfactory pavement performance. Full article

The invasive sap-feeding pest Toumeyella parvicornis (pine tortoise scale) is rapidly spreading across Europe, threatening pine ecosystems, particularly in forest–urban areas of Italy. In this scenario, early detection and monitoring strategies are critical to prevent new outbreaks and mitigate impacts in infested regions. Current surveillance is challenged by the lack of rapid, sensitive tools for indirect detection of this cryptic, canopy-dwelling pest, despite advancements in molecular diagnostics and environmental DNA (eDNA). Here, we established a highly specific qPCR assay using LNA probe chemistry for detecting T. parvicornis DNA from both adult insects and their excreted honeydew. DNA was successfully isolated/quantified from all tested matrices. We recorded average Cq values of 20.9 for insect specimens and 30.3 for collected honeydew samples. Targeting the COI barcoding region, the assay demonstrated excellent specificity in both in silico and in vitro tests, showing no cross-reactivity to other pine-associated taxa. The limit of detection for DNA isolated from insect was 64 fg/µL. This is the first diagnostic protocol to use honeydew as a matrix for indirect detection of T. parvicornis. Optimized for routine application by Plant Health Services, this eDNA-based tool offers a valuable approach for future monitoring of sap-sucking hemipterans in multiple environments. Full article

Determining evolutionary significant units (ESUs) is essential for the purpose of biological conservation. Recent definitions of ESUs stress the importance of using ecological data with molecular analysis. The present work aimed to study the genetic structure and ecological niche of the spur-thighed tortoise (Testudo graeca) in its contact zone, with a special focus on hybridization between T. g. buxtoni and T. g. zarudnyi in Central Iran using a combination of genetic data (microsatellite markers) and ecological niche modeling (ENM). Our results indicated that despite the distinct mitochondrial clades, nuclear markers reveal gene flow between the two subspecies, especially in the contact zone, with the majority of hybrids belonging to T. g. zarudnyi. The genetic structure of T. graeca reflects a complex interplay of ancient vicariance and recent gene flow. While mitochondrial markers suggest long-term separation, nuclear markers reveal more recent hybridization events. The results obtained from ENMs demonstrated the niche differentiations. Climatic variables, such as annual rainfall and temperature seasonality, primarily drive the distribution of both subspecies. The western clade is associated with higher precipitation and lower temperature variability. These findings suggest that both subspecies hold valuable evolutionary and conservation issues. Based on these mentioned results, we strongly recommend assigning the two subspecies as ESUs to enhance the accuracy of conservation measurements. We believe that understanding the ecological factors influencing species distribution, along with molecular analysis under the recent concept of ESUs, can provide valuable insights into the conservation and management of the T. graeca complex in its wide geographic range. Full article

The importance of temperature for the biology and ecology of reptiles is well known. In temperate regions where temperatures fluctuate on a daily and seasonal basis, reptiles must respond appropriately to maintain body temperatures that enable activity. In this study, we describe temporal changes in the thermal environment from January to December in Montenegro and the impact on two species of reptile, Hermann’s tortoise, Testudo hermanni, and the large, legless lizard Pseudopus apodus. These reptiles differ in morphology and diet and have a long phylogenetic separation but experience the same thermal environment. To give insight into any impact of these factors on their thermal ecology we calculated monthly thermoregulatory efficiency indexes derived from field body temperatures, set point temperatures—defined as the preferred body temperatures, and temperatures of null models. The results indicated that both species exhibited high thermoregulatory efficiency, with T. hermanni showing the highest levels across the active year and also maintaining higher body temperatures than P. apodus potentially reflecting the dietary and lifestyle differences. During the hottest months, body temperatures of T. hermanni frequently exceeded the set point range but were not exceeded by P. apodus at any time. Microhabitat patches of closely situated sunlight and shaded areas were the most frequently selected patches in both species, with T. hermanni spending greater amounts of time in shaded patches compared to P. apodus. The efficiency indexes, together with data on microhabitat selection, indicated both species moved non-randomly through the environment, selecting appropriate habitat patches and maintaining body temperatures close to the set point range whilst avoiding the dangerously high body temperatures that occur during the hotter months. During the winter months from November to February, the second and third quartiles of the model temperatures fell below the set point range temperatures of both species. This corresponded with their dormant period. In general, the results emphasise the importance of habitat diversity and integrity in reptile ecology and for their conservation. Full article

Language modeling has evolved from simple rule-based systems into complex assistants capable of tackling a multitude of tasks. State-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) are capable of scoring highly on proficiency benchmarks, and as a result have been deployed across industries to increase productivity and convenience. However, the prolific nature of such tools has provided threat actors with the ability to leverage them for attack development. Our paper describes the current state of LLMs, their availability, and their role in benevolent and malicious applications. In addition, we propose how an LLM can be combined with text-to-speech (TTS) voice cloning to create a framework capable of carrying out social engineering attacks. Our case study analyzes the realism of two different open-source TTS models, Tortoise TTS and Coqui XTTS-v2, by calculating similarity scores between generated and real audio samples from four participants. Our results demonstrate that Tortoise is able to generate realistic voice clone audios for native English speaking males, which indicates that easily accessible resources can be leveraged to create deceptive social engineering attacks. As such tools become more advanced, defenses such as awareness, detection, and red teaming may not be able to keep up with dangerously equipped adversaries. Full article

The adoption of exotic animals as pets is increasing across Europe. This study explores the human–chelonian relationship in the Italian population, specifically the motivations for acquiring reptiles as pets and the nature of the emotional bonds between guardians and chelonians. A total of 91 chelonian guardians replied to an online survey. Data was analyzed through a mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative analyses. Most participants (85.7%) owned Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni), having received them as gifts (50.5%) or purchased them (31.9%). Pet chelonians living outdoors had an almost five times higher odds of being reported as non-family members compared to those with indoor access (OR = 4.90, 95% CI = 1.34–23.41, p = 0.02). No significant relationship was detected between other demographic factors and bond type. When asked whether they consider their pet a family member, 70 out of 91 participants reported information for both their reptile and dog/cat. Among these, pets were seen as family members for 44.3% of chelonians and 92.4% of dogs/cats. In turn, qualitative responses from 85 participants showed that 45% expressed a strong emotional connection to their pet chelonians, using language denoting affection, love, and fascination. These findings suggest that, while emotional bonds between guardians and chelonians may be less interactive and intimate than those with conventional pets, they nonetheless reflect a meaningful bond rooted in personal values of entertainment, convenience, and duty of care. Full article

Gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) are threatened burrowing keystone ecosystem engineers indigenous to open uplands in the Southeastern United States. Perils to the species include habitat degradation and fragmentation, anthropogenic disturbances, predation, parasites, and disease. Problems are severe in the SE Florida study area due to coastal urban sprawl, confining the tortoises in small, scattered, unnatural pockets subject to novel stresses. The annual South Florida February to ca. late May dry season became a severe drought in 2025. The present project centered on the broad question of foodplant resilience through the drought. The tortoise-grazed areas host three dominant groundcover species, in order of abundance: non-native Richardia grandiflora, native grass Paspalum setaceum, and non-native sedge Fimbristylis cymosa. Key findings were as follows: 1. The most abundant and most-often grazed species, Richardia grandiflora, when tortoises were excluded, expanded despite the drought (from 39% to 49.5% mean coverage). Under combined drought and grazing, that species cover decreased slightly (42.5% to 39.4%). Tortoise-free, Paspalum setaceum declined slightly during the drought (32.7% to 27.1% mean coverage), and showed mixed results with little net effect exposed to drought and to grazing. Never observed to be grazed during the study, Fimbristylis cymosa formed a nearly monospecific lawn in a sizeable portion of the study area. During the drought, it mostly browned, retaining green rosette centers, and tortoise exclusion showed no discernable effect. With transition to late spring, however, with increased rainfall, tortoise exclusion allowed rapid competition from grasses among the Fimbristylis rosettes. Adjacent unenclosed grazing, by contrast, maintained the Fimbristylis lawn without increase in grass coverage. Conclusions are that the two chief “fodder” species, Richardia grandiflora and Paspalum setaceum, were robust to drought and grazing. The introduced Fimbristylis cymosa appears to be facilitated by selective grazing-suppressing grass competitors. Full article

Mycoplasmas are known respiratory pathogens in tortoises, but few studies exist in snakes. To better understand the correlation with clinical signs and co-infections, samples from mycoplasma-positive snakes with and without clinical respiratory disease were analyzed. Oral swabs from 15 snakes (pythons n = 12, boas n = 3) were examined using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and third-generation sequencing (TGS). Additionally, mycoplasma isolation assays were performed. Pathogens detected by PCR included Mycoplasmas (15/15, 100%), serpentoviruses (9/15, 60%), and Chlamydia sp. (2/15, 13%); those detected by TGS included Mycoplasmas (14/15, 93%), serpentoviruses (10/15, 67%), Chlamydia sp. (1/15, 7%), and 15 different bacterial species. Sequencing of the mycoplasma PCR products revealed a close genetic relationship to Mycoplasmopsis agassizii. TGS identified genetically distinct mycoplasmas and three different serpentoviruses. While mycoplasmas could not be successfully propagated, Brucella intermedia comb. nov. was identified in eight cultures. Respiratory disease in snakes is often multifactorial, involving various pathogens and environmental influences. This study demonstrates that comprehensive diagnostics are essential for understanding disease processes in snakes and improving the detection of diverse pathogens. Further research is needed to improve laboratory diagnostics for infectious diseases in reptiles and to better understand the roles of various pathogens in respiratory diseases in snakes. Full article

The elongated tortoise (Indotestudo elongata), a Critically Endangered (CR) species, faces numerous threats across its range. Yet, the ecological and anthropogenic factors affecting its conservation in fragmented habitats remain poorly understood. This study integrated field surveys and community questionnaires to assess the distribution drivers and local perceptions, such as attitudes, knowledge, conservation practices, and perceived threats, in the Jalthal Forest, one of the last remnants of suitable habitat for the elongated tortoise in eastern Nepal. Using ArcMap, we established 138 randomly selected grids (500 m × 500 m) to evaluate the environmental covariates of tortoise occurrence and anthropogenic pressures. Generalized linear models revealed that tortoise occurrence was negatively associated with dense ground cover (β = −3.50, p = 0.017) and human disturbance (β = −8.11, p = 0.019). Surveys of local residents from community forest user groups (n = 236 respondents) indicated strong local support for tortoise conservation (69% willing to protect the species). Despite this, the respondents identified persistent threats, including hunting for bushmeat and traditional medicine (74%), habitat degradation (65%), and forest fires. While 60% of the respondents recognized the threatened species status, significant knowledge gaps regarding that status and ongoing illegal exploitation persisted. These findings underscore the need for targeted habitat management, reduced anthropogenic pressures, and community-led initiatives to align local attitudes with conservation actions. This study provides critical baseline data for conserving the elongated tortoise in human-modified landscapes and emphasizes the necessity of integrated ecological and socio-cultural strategies for its long-term survival. Full article