Morphological variability of the Hermann's tortoise (<em>Testudo hermanni</em>) in the Central Balkans
Variation in a number of morphological characters were analysed in five populations of Testudo hermanni from Serbia and Montenegro. Tortoises from Serbia appeared significantly larger than those from Montenegro. An insular population of Montenegro was distinct due to its extremely small body size an...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Firenze University Press
2012-12-01
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| Series: | Acta Herpetologica |
| Online Access: | https://oaj.fupress.net/index.php/ah/article/view/1661 |
| Summary: | Variation in a number of morphological characters were analysed in five populations of Testudo hermanni from Serbia and Montenegro. Tortoises from Serbia appeared significantly larger than those from Montenegro. An insular population of Montenegro was distinct due to its extremely small body size and mass and dark plastral pigmentation. Although the majority of tortoises had the supracaudal scute divided, many tortoises had the scute undivided. Effects of possible genetic divergence and/or adaptation to different environmental conditions on observed morphological variation were discussed. |
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| ISSN: | 1827-9635 1827-9643 |