The diet and vegetation composition of Egyptian tortoise habitat in North Sinai, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract We studied the diet and vegetation composition of Egyptian tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni, habitat in North Sinai, Egypt. Dietary data was recorded through direct observations and the vegetation composition was recorded through the use of quadrats and line transects in 66 sampling points (33 in tortoise areas and 33 in non-tortoise areas). Our results showed that vegetation of Egyptian tortoise habitat had high species richness, Simpson’s diversity index, and vegetation cover in contrast to areas without Egyptian tortoises. These tortoises ate thirty four species of plants, a majority of these being perennials, with most feeding observations occurring in spring and winter. The consumption of perennials may enable Egyptian tortoises to find and consume food in an arid environment with low, variable and unpredictable rainfall. The plants most consumed were rare in our vegetation survey, suggesting food preferences. Our study suggests that Egyptian tortoises, which rely on vegetation for food and refugia, may suffer if vegetation cover and richness decrease.