BODY MASS CONDITION IN GREEK TORTOISES: REGIONAL AND INTERSPECIFIC VARIATION

摘要: Body mass and length data from large samples of wild Testudo graeca, T. hermanni marginata in Greece were used to assess body condition. Mass-length relationships differed significantly between the sexes (females being heavier) among species ( least heavy). for each sex calculate condition index (CI) log (M/M'), where M is observed M’ predicted length, which equal residuals regression on length. It was possible use empirical mass-length one population CI other populations substantially different adult size. The seasonal pattern varied with latitude, a sharper later peak further north, habitat, declining more summer at xeric coastal site. patterns graeca similar, peaks compared hermanni. These related differences activity food availability sites. variability similar all three species, most values -0.1 +0.1; variation relatively low amplitude, range about 0.05 highest lowest monthly means.