Radiated tortoise

Radiated Tortoise ( Astrochelys radiata)

The radiated tortoise ( Astrochelys radiata ) is an originally endemic to Madagascar way from the family of tortoises that was previously assigned to the genus Geochelone.

• 7.1 Notes and references
• 7.2 Literature
• 7.3 External links

Appearance

With a carapace length of up to 42 centimeters and a weight of 20 kg in males and 15 kg for females, the radiated tortoise is relatively large. Unlike its sister species, the Malagasy beak breast turtle (A. yniphora ), it has no bone extension on the front end of the abdominal carapace. Feature of this type are the eponymous, radially extending on each tank segment outward yellow lines on dark background. In very elderly individuals sometimes lack this characteristic drawing. Males differ from the females by a concave plastron and a longer and thicker tail.

Reproduction

The clutch of radiated tortoises comprise 2 to 12 eggs, ranging in size from 36-42 * 32-39 millimeters may vary. The slip of the young animals is dependent on the ambient temperature and humidity. At 25 to 27 degrees and a relative humidity of 80 percent of the young hatch after five to nine months. At an ambient temperature of 28 to 29 degrees, the period is reduced to slip from 106 to 130 days.

Dissemination

The origin of the species is found in southern and southwestern Madagascar, in areas with a pronounced dry season and a world dominated by thorn forest vegetation. They also inhabit areas with low but dense vegetation and those in which predominate by overgrazing Opuntia. Accordingly, there are 80 to 90 percent of their diet of grasses; Fruits and succulents complement the food spectrum. It is assumed that natural populations between the river Onilahy (east of Cap Saint Marie), occur in up to a 100 km wide strip along the coast (south of Tulear ) and the place Antaritarika. The main distribution area extends to the Mahafaly and the Karimbolaplateau.

In addition to the natural range of this species is held in most regions of Madagascar, as well as on the islands of Mauritius and Reunion for food production. They are also with chickens and ducks kept together because they are designed to provide protection against these diseases. Runaway animals may occur, established populations outside of the original distribution area are considered unlikely.

System

The radiated tortoise and its sister species, the Malagasy turtle beak chest, long time the genus Geochelone have been assigned. This was made ​​over a longer period in question and 2007, these two species have been (re) classified in the endemic to Madagascar and only these two types of comprehensive genus Astrochelys Gray, 1873.

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Radiated tortoises for food

The natural range of the species coincides with that of the tribes of the Mahafaly and Antandroy, where it is known as " Sokatra " and also as " Sokake ". For these strains, the consumption of turtles is considered a " fady ", considered a taboo. Meanwhile live there but also members of other strains in which turtles are on the menu, as many animals are captured and taken to other locations with truck and killed for human consumption.

Endangering

The IUCN leads this species as endangered. In addition to the hunt Habitat destruction through deforestation, overgrazing and charcoal production, the main danger for radiated tortoises. The IUCN is based on their assessment of a generation time of 42 years. Over a period of 67 years, to fewer than two generations, this type has disappeared in 40 percent of their habitat. In a continuation of the decline must be assumed that the species will be extinct in about 45 years.