Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of hatched and fertilized eggs in female Hermann’s tortoises before and after the removal of males after breeding. A breeding group of Testudo hermanni boettgeri with 50 females and 12 males was included in the study. In the first year, all adults were together in the same habitat until reproductive activity was observed. After the end of May, the males and females were separated for the next two active seasons. The number of eggs and number of second clutches decreased gradually. In the first year, 76.0% of females laid eggs; in the second year, 24.0%; and in the third year, only 8.0%. Second clutches were observed in ten females (26.3%) in the first year, while in the next two years, one female had a second clutch. There was a small but significant correlation between the weight of a single tortoise and the number of eggs laid but no significant correlation between the weight of the tortoise and its average egg weight. The weight (15.1-16.8 g), length (33.9-36.1 mm) and width of each egg (27.5-28.0 mm) was measured. During the laying season, the eggs were put into incubators. The incubation length varied from 52 to 70 days. After the end of incubation, eggshell mortality and its causes (19.3-52.5%) were examined. In the first year, the viability rate of the incubated eggs was 80.7%; in the second year, 80.5%; and in the third year, 47.8%. Among the unhatched eggs in the first year, 62.5% were unfertilized, 53.1% were infected, 28.1% were dehydrated and 21.9% were found in various stages of embryonic development.
Highlights
Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) (TH) is a medium-sized terrestrial species that can be found in nature in the European Mediterranean area
Scientists disagree about the existence of a third subspecies, Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis [2]
Adult breeding tortoises of different genders were located, and they were used as a control group in our study
Summary
Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni) (TH) is a medium-sized terrestrial species that can be found in nature in the European Mediterranean area. Scientists disagree about the existence of a third subspecies, Testudo hermanni hercegovinensis [2]. Hermann’s tortoise is covered by Regulation (EC) No 338/97 and listed in Annex A [3]. Chelonian species require years or decades to reach sexual maturity. Gestation is quite remarkable with regard to the time period from fertilization to laying. It depends on different environmental and nesting conditions. Females can lay fertile eggs up to four years after mating, fertility decreases significantly after each season [6]
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