Testudo - Biologie

Annals of West University of Timişoara, ser. Biology, 2013, vol XV I(1), pp.25-28
THE NORTHERN MOST RECORD OF HERMANN’S TORTOISE
(TESTUDO HERMANNI BOETTGERI) IN ROMANIA
-short communicationDiana POP*, Lucian PÂRVULESCU
Department of Biology and Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Biology, Geography, West University of
Timișoara, 16A Pestalozzi St., 300115 Timișoara, Romania
*Corresponding author’s email address: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Hermann's tortoise is a strictly protected reptile species. It comprises three subspecies
occurring Mediterranean countries. In Romania, only T. h. boettgeri is living, located
in the southern part of the country. In this paper we documented recent observations
of the species outside of its known distribution area. This is the northernmost
observation of this species, raising the question of its provenience. Two hypotheses
were launched: human translocation or natural expansion.
KEY WORDS: Banat, distribution, human translocation, natural expansion
Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri or Eutestudo boettgeri
Mojsisovics, 1889), also known as the Banat tortoise is a strictly protected reptile in
Romania and Europe. This large-sized species exhibits a pronounced sexual
dimorphism, usually reproducing in late spring (Rozylowicz & Pătroescu 2004)and has
a vegetarian diet (Bonin, 2006). Hermann's tortoise hibernates from October to late
April, buried in the ground or in small caves in the rocks from the river banks.
Currently there are 3 subspecies of Testudo hermanni: T. h. hermanni, T. h. boettgeri
and T. h. hercegovinensis (Fritz & Havas 2007).
This tortoise is a protected species by the Law 13/1993 which Romania
ratified at the Berne Convention. Also, the species is strictly protected by the Law 57/
2007 on the protected natural areas, natural habitats, wild flora and fauna, included in
Appendix III and IV. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of
Plants and Endangered Wildlife (CITES) includes this species. It is also strictly
protected by the Council Directive 92/43/EEC "Habitats Directive" (1992). The
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the species on the
Red List of Threatened Species, being classified in Europe with the status of "near
threatened" (van Dijk et al., 2012). The Red Book of Vertebrates from Romania listed
a status of endangered species for Hermann's tortoise (Botnariuc & Tatole 2005).
Hermann's tortoise distribution range, including all subspecies, covers disjunct
areas of Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and
Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey (Cheylan 2001). Spatial
distribution of Hermann's tortoise subspecies reveal that only T. h. boettgeri is living in
Romania (Fritz & Havas 2007). South-western Romania was evaluated in several
papers regarding this species (Fuhn & Vancea 1961, Iana & Petcu 1976, Covaciu25
POP & PÂRVULESCU: The northern most record of Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni Boettgeri) in Romania
Marcov et al. 2005, Iftime 2005, Covaciu-Marcov et al. 2009). This subspecies was
also confirmed in Dobrogea (Iftime 2002, Sos et al. 2008), most likely the specimen
was translocated by humans from Bulgarian populations. In south-western Romania
this species is recorded from Baziaş (Rozylowicz et al., 2003) to Strehaia (Fuhn and
Vancea, 1957), corresponding to Locva, Almaj, Cerna, Domogled Mountains and
Mehedinti Plateau (Rozylowicz & Dobre 2010).
Fig. 1. Images of captured specimen of Testudo hermanni boettgeri (photos by Diana Pop)
On April 30, 2013 we observed and captured a female identified as belonging
to subspecies Testudo hermanni boettgeri (Figure 1). It was found near the river Timis,
in the area called "Cotu 'lu Toader", near Unip, Timis County (see Figure 2). The GPS
location is 45°39'11"N / 21°17'06"E, at an altitude of around 90 m a.s.l. The specimen
was weighing 1920 grams. This observation clearly represents an outside record of the
distribution area of the species. This finding can be interpreted as a natural extension
of the species area of coverage. To support this assumption it is worth noting that it has
recently been observed in the region near the Lugoj-Timisoara road (I. Duma, personal
communication). However, we can not exclude the fact that this specimen comes from
illegal trade and was released in this area. Nevertheless, this is the most northern
location where this species was observed in Romania. We consider this record
important since it may confirm or counter the hypothesis of natural extension of its
distribution range.
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Annals of West University of Timişoara, ser. Biology, 2013, vol XV I(1), pp.25-28
Fig. 2. Location of observed specimen of Testudo hermanni boettgeri
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