Deep Crevices Research Articles

New distribution and breeding record of Wroughton’s free-tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni) (Chiroptera: Molossidae) from Meghalaya, India

Abstract The Wroughton’s free-tailed bat (Otomops wroughtoni) is classified as Data Deficient under IUCN Red List due to inadequate information on its distribution, population, and ecology. The species was previously recorded from Belgaum district of Karnataka and from East Khasi Hills and Jaintia Hills districts of Meghalaya and from Cambodia, represented by a single specimen. Through our study on Chiroptera taxa across 19 Community Reserves between October 2021 and January 2022 using physical search, mist netting and acoustic study we have identified a new colony of O. wroughtoni from the Mikadogre village in South Garo Hills District of Meghalaya, which extends the current distribution to 135 km from the nearest known distribution site. Interestingly, unlike other known roosts of O. wroughtoni which are in large caves with high roofs and deep crevices or cupolas, this roost was in the open limestone cliff located next to a stream. In addition to this, we have also documented the breeding colony of the species from a previously known site at Pynurkba. This new finding emphasises that there are more potential roosts across the Northeast region of India with similar habitats and altitudes waiting to be identified.

The significance of ferrous ion oxidation during corrosion of carbon steel in aerated near-neutral aqueous solutions

Numerical models were developed to investigate the significance of ferrous ion oxidation in carbon steel corrosion in near-neutral aerated aqueous solutions. The results demonstrated that the inclusion of ferrous ion oxidation improved the accuracy of pH predictions in deep crevices under cathodic protection and Evan's drop exposure conditions, closely matching experimental observations. The reaction rate for ferrous ion oxidation was found to be between 1 × 1014 and 2 × 1014 (mol/L)-2 atm−1 min−1. These findings highlight the importance of considering ferrous ion oxidation when modelling carbon steel corrosion in near-neutral aerated aqueous solutions.

Hiding behaviour of bats in sandstone mines of North-Eastern Ukraine

Winter counting of bats in hibernacula is one of the main methods of estimating their population trends in Europe. However, it is not always possible for humans to identify and count all bats in the maze of big karstic caves or abandoned mines. Previously we notice a significant fluctuation in the numbers of bat species and individuals in sandstone mines located in the Kharkiv region (NE Ukraine), and hypothesized that a significant undercount happened due to the hiding of bats in deep crevices of sandstone. Here using a camera trap placed inside a mine (September 17-19, 2017) we tested this hypothesis. Firstly we identified significant levels of bat flight activity where no roosting bats had been observed through conventional visual survey methods. The proportion of identified bats (Myotis group and Plecotus auritus) on footage was similar to that obtained by usual winter counts. Finally, we filmed and documented cases of crawling bats inside the deep crevices in the wall depths. We ventured to make an extrapolation of bat numbers in a mine on the basis of autumn-spring mist-netting data, and our evidence that they do hide in crevices. Our observations clearly demonstrate that hiding bat behaviour in mines might result in an underestimation of the real number of hibernating bats in sand-stone mines.

Oil Lamps, Spearheads and Skulls: Possible Evidence of Necromancy during Late Antiquity in the Te’omim Cave, Judean Hills

AbstractThe Te’omim Cave is a large karst cave located in the Jerusalem Hills. Since 2009, the cave has been explored by our team as a joint project of the Martin (Szusz) Department of Land of Israel Studies and Archaeology at Bar-Ilan University and the Cave Research Center at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Over 120 intact oil lamps were collected in the 2010–2016 survey seasons from all sections of the cave; most of them were dated to the second to fourth centuries CE. All of these lamps had been deliberately inserted in narrow, deep crevices in the main chamber walls or beneath the rubble. Some crevices contained groups of oil lamps mixed with weapons and pottery vessels from earlier periods or placed with human skulls. This article discusses the possibility that the oil lamps, weapons, human skulls, and other artifacts were used as part of necromancy ceremonies that took place in the cave during the Late Roman period, and that the cave may have served as a local oracle (nekyomanteion).

Detection And Quantification Of Treponema Denticola In Subgingival Plaque Of Humans By Polymerase Chain Reaction

Introduction: Inflammation of the supporting tissues which is also known as periodontitis contributes to the major etiological factor for tooth loss. Consortium of pathogenic bacteria with elevated levels lead to onset and progression of periodontal disease. Gram negative bacteria, primarily severe anaerobes, are responsible for most of it. Aims and Objectives: The present study aimed to assess the presence of Treponema denticola in periodontal disease in different subgingival plaque samples collected from the oral cavity of 30 patients diagnosed with chronic periodontitis. The plaque samples were compared with similar plaque samples of 15 healthy patients. Method: Subgingival dental plaque samples from shallow and deep crevices were examined for the presence of bacterial DNA using the PCR method, which enables the simultaneous identification of multiple bacterial genomes. Results: PCR results show amplification and quantification of T. denticola in 10 out of 15 patients in group-1, 9 out of 15 patients in group-2, and 4 out of 15 patients in group-3. The statistical analyses of the results show that they are statistically significant. Conclusion: According to the aforementioned study, PCR microorganism identification is sensitive and specific. For early infection diagnosis and subsequently for the prevention and treatment of periodontal disease, a rapid and accurate assessment of periodonto-pathogens is crucial. Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.22 (Special Issue) 2023 p.93-99

A phylogenetic and taxonomic assessment of the Cnemaspis alwisi group (Reptilia: Gekkonidae) in Sri Lanka with a description of two new species from isolated misty-mountains

Sri Lanka is a local hotspot for Cnemaspis day geckos with 40 currently known species with 100% endemism. In this paper, we evaluate the phylogenetic relationships of Cnemaspis species belonging to the alwisi group of the podihuna clade and describe two additional new species of Cnemaspis from Sri Lanka; one from Galgiriya mountain, Kurunegala District, and another from Ethagala mountain, Ampara District. These new species were recorded from granite caves within forested areas in isolated mountains in the dry bioclimatic zone (point-endemics). Both new species are microhabitat specialists with narrow niches limited to humid, cool, canopy-shaded granite caves and old buildings associated with granite caves, where they are camouflaged by their cryptic morphology and body colouration. Furthermore, both species prefer narrow (~ 6–12 mm), long (~ 120–450 mm) and deep (~ 80–260 mm) crevices as refugia. The regions in which these habitats are located receive relatively low annual rainfall (1,000–1,500 mm). These new species are medium in size (28.5–36.8 mmSVL) and can be differentiated from all other Sri Lankan Cnemaspis by the presence of clearly enlarged, subhexagonal subcaudal scales and the absence of precloacal pores in males. Both species described here are categorised herein as Critically Endangered (CR) under the IUCN Red List criteria. The major threats for these new species are habitat loss due to expansion of commercial-scale agriculture, illicit forest encroachments, and forest fires. Therefore, we recommend that relevant authorities take immediate conservation action to ensure the protection of these forest areas with their buffer zones in the near future.

A search for the resting conformation of the bacterial mechanosensitive channel MSCs.

Structure determination for membrane proteins remains not only technically challenging but is further complicated by potentially non-native conformations resulting from removal of stabilizing lipids. This is especially true for mechanosensitive channels, which are designed to undergo gating transitions under membrane tension that negates part of the bilayer's lateral pressure. At tensions near its activation threshold (5-7 mN/m), the MscS channel slowly transitions from the resting to the inactivated state, which is tension insensitive. This interconversion between the two non-conductive states is accompanied by an 8 nm2 lateral expansion, revealing that the resting state must be more compact. We attempt to relate these two functional states with existing MscS structures experimentally and computationally. Molecular dynamics simulations used to verify experimental conductance and in-plane area expansion revealed that the many MscS structures are non-conductive or semi-conductive. These non-conductive structures share a splayed conformation of lipid-facing TM1-TM2 helical pairs, deep crevices between TM2 and TM3, and a de-coupling of the TM3a gate from the TM1-TM2 tension-transmitting domains. Yet, functional studies demonstrate the necessity of close hydrophobic TM2-TM3 contact for the resting to open transition; hydrophilic mutations lead to immediate inactivation instead of opening. This prompted the modeling of a “compact” resting state characterized by “upright” rather than splayed TM1-TM2 pairs and tighter TM2-TM3 contact that would reconnect the gate to TM1-TM2 helices. Simulated transitions from structures with splayed TM1-TM2 pairs to this compact state revealed two conserved stabilizing salt bridges: R59-D67 and D62-R131. Charge-inverting and neutralizing mutations at these residues had drastic effects on opening and closing rates, inactivation, and especially recovery from inactivation. Disulfide pairs introduced at these salt bridge positions support their proximity as predicted by the model. A cryo-EM characterization of the disulfide cross-linked channel is in progress.

Distribution, Morphometric and Meristic Study of The Agamid Lizard Laudakia tuberculata Gray, 1827 in The North-Western Himalaya

The Agamidae family, which includes 52 genera and over 350 species, is a monophyletic group of acrodont lizards that evolved in eastern Asia during the late Cretaceous period. These are essential components of the arid terrestrial vertebrate fauna found at low to high altitudes. Among the four species of the prominent genus Laudakia, species Laudakia tuberculata (Gray, 1827) dominates the Garhwal region of the Indian Himalayas. The current study documents the distribution, morphometric and meristic study of Laudakia tuberculata in the Garhwal region, ranging from 350 to 2200 m asl altitude. The species prefers mountainous habitats, such as holes, cliffs, and rocky structures with deep crevices near streams and rivers, old houses, stony walls, and highways. The male individuals are bigger in size and show magnificent blue shades during the breeding season, an abdominal and pre-anal callous patch of scale, indicating noticeable sexual dimorphism. The morphometric analysis revealed substantial (p<0.05) variations in body weight (Wt), snout-vent length (SVL), head length (HL), head width (HW), forelimb length (FLL), hindlimb length (HLL), and tail width (TW) except tail length (TL) and total body length (TBDL) between both sexes at different elevations. The subtropical population have significantly (p<0.05) larger TL and TBDL compared to temperate populations indicating altitude governing the morphology of Laudakia tuberculata.

Corrosion performance and degradation mechanism of a bi-metallic aluminum structure processed by wire-arc additive manufacturing

An Al-5Mg alloy (AA5083) block, deposited over an AA6061 substrate by wire-arc additive manufacturing, was electrochemically tested along two different cross-sectional planes by cyclic polarization in 3.5 wt.% NaCl. The deposited layers and the interlayer boundaries showed similar polarization behavior regardless of the cross-sectional direction. The corrosion of both the substrate and the deposited layers was mainly attributed to the presence of relatively coarse intermetallic Al(Fe, Mn)Si particles. In the substrate, corrosion was governed by deep crevices along the interfaces of directionally aligned Al(Fe, Mn)Si particles with the Al matrix. The deposited layers and the interlayer boundaries showed pitting around numerous Al(Fe, Mn)Si particles and/or Al(Fe, Mn, Cr, Ti)Si at the interlayer boundaries, which were much finer compared to those of the substrate. The abundance of the fine precipitates and their intergranular location caused surface material removal, which was more extensive along the interlayer boundaries. The perpendicular z-y and z-x planes of the deposited block did not show significant differences in anodic polarization behavior. Differences were more distinct in the case of cathodic polarization. Some anisotropy in polarization behavior was noted through the thickness of the z-y plane that complies with the obtained tensile behavior.

Challenges in the deposition of (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 absorber layers for thin-film solar cells

The partial replacement of Cu by Ag in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells is strategically interesting to achieve smooth devices with high conversion efficiencies. Yet, the industrial exploitation requires further understanding of the deposition process and control of the absorber layer properties. In this study, three-stage co-evaporation of (Ag,Cu)(Ga,In)Se2 films with [Ag]/([Ag] + [Cu]) contents up to 0.2 was investigated. Deep crevices and voids, sometimes extending down to the rear contact, were found. They mainly occur for high Ag contents and excessive group-I richness during the second stage of the deposition. The formation of cavities is attributed to the segregation of Ag–Se phases and slow Ag diffusion into the chalcopyrite during the deposition. Another identified challenge is the flattening of the desired bandgap grading which is correlated with the Ag content. Optimized process conditions allow fabrication of smooth (Ag,Cu)(Ga,In)Se2 films in a manufacturing-like inline deposition with cell efficiencies up to 20.5%.

A description of the tadpole of Megophrys "Brachytarsophrys" intermedia (Smith, 1921).

Megophrys Kuhl and Van Hasselt are an Asian radiation of terrestrial frogs which are usually associated with montane forest (Mahony et al. 2017). The Annam horned frog (Megophrys intermedia) is reported from montane evergreen forest in Vietnam and Lao People's Democratic Republic (Stuart 2005; Hendrix et al. 2008; Nguyen et al. 2009; Tran 2013; Orlov et al. 2015; IUCN 2017; Mahony et al. 2017). The IUCN Red List assessment for the species reports an elevational range of 782-1500 m asl (IUCN 2017) although the type locality was reported to be above 1500 m asl (Smith 1921), and Tran (2013) collected a specimen at 1515 m asl. Megophrys intermedia is assessed as Least Concern (IUCN 2017) and little is known about the reproductive behaviour and life history of the species. In Lam Dong Province (Vietnam), male M. intermedia call in March (Tran 2013); on the Langbian Plateau (Vietnam), male specimens are reported to call by day and by night from March to May and specimens called from within deep crevices between boulders in streams (Smith 1921); in Xe Kong Province (Laos), males call or guard egg clutches that are laid in water in July (Stuart 2005).

Effect of the macro-segregation on corrosion behavior of CrMnFeCoNi coating prepared by arc cladding

The CrMnFeCoNi coatings were prepared by the tungsten arc cladding process on a substrate of X65 steel. A macroscopic scale solute segregation within the coated layer can be recognized, which is analyzed by coupling the fluid mechanics and calculation of phase diagram technique (CALPHAD). According to the no-slip boundary condition, a zero-velocity laminar fluid layer appears at the fusion pool boundary, which forms the macro-segregation zone. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) results demonstrated the macro-segregation zone possess higher Fe element portion (X65 steel enriched zone) compare to the other region in the coating layer. Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that the macro-segregated regions exhibited body-centered cubic structure that possess high-density dislocations, which proves that martensite transformation occurs within the X65 steel enriched macro-segregated regions. Potentiodynamic polarization curves indicated that CrMnFeCoNi coated samples experienced three stages including active, passive and transpassive dissolution. In active stage, preferential dissolution occurred on macro-segregated regions, which can be attributed to two factors: phase portion factor and alloying component factor. In the passive stage, the CrMnFeCoNi coating formed passive film while the macro-segregated zones exhibited active dissolution, resulting in forming deep crevices. Once macro-segregation zones formed deep crevices, the crevice corrosion mechanism would be dominant. As a result, some deeper and wider crevices were formed. In transpassive region, the passive film dissolved, which aggravates the corrosion of the sample.

Combination therapy of oxidised regenerated cellulose/collagen/silver dressings with negative pressure wound therapy for coverage of exposed critical structures in complex lower-extremity wounds.

Complex wounds with exposed critical structures such as tendon and bone are a conundrum in wound management, especially in the setting where the patient is not a suitable candidate for flap surgery. While the individual use of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and oxidised regenerated cellulose (ORC)/collagen/silver (PROMOGRAN PRISMA) dressing has been described in the literature, there are little data on the efficacy of their combined use. In this study, we describe a novel technique of combining the use of NPWT and ORC/collagen/silver dressings to manage complex wound beds as an alternative management option for patients not suitable for reconstructive flap surgery. This technique was performed in a series of 37 patients with complex lower-extremity wounds that were not healing with conventional NPWT alone. All patients had open wounds with exposed critical structures that were difficult to manage, such as exposed tendon, bone, deep crevices, and joint. Successful coverage of exposed critical structures was achieved in 89% of patients, and coverage was achieved within 28 days of combination therapy in 82% of these patients, without any complications. The novel technique of combining ORC/collagen/silver dressing and NPWT provides a useful option in the armamentarium of a reconstructive surgeon dealing with difficult complex lower-extremity wounds.

Compensatory Microhabitat Selection by Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) in a Cool and Wet Macroclimate

Northern Pacific Rattlesnakes (Crotalus oreganus oreganus) have a range that extends from southern California into British Columbia. This subspecies is common in relatively warm and arid regions, but also occurs in habitats that are neither warm nor arid. We hypothesized that the presence of suitable microhabitat conditions can compensate for a less suitable macroclimate, allowing C. o. oreganus to exist in less suitable regions. We developed environmental niche models for C. o. oreganus at two spatial scales: (1) northern California and western Oregon, and (2) the northern California coast. These models explored macroclimatic suitability of northern, coastal California relative to other regions within the range of C. o. oreganus. The models revealed that the three most northern and coastal counties of California have a significantly less suitable macroclimate relative to the rest of each study area. Next, we used paired resource selection functions to determine microhabitat differences between rocky outcrops used as hibernacula and outcrops that are unoccupied by rattlesnakes despite similarities. Our analysis indicated selection for outcrops with more deep crevices, less vegetative cover, and slopes facing due south (180° from North). Additionally, we mapped landslides near hibernacula, which revealed that hibernacula commonly occurred within the head-scarps of landslides. We suggest that because landslide triggers (e.g., heavy rainfall and earthquakes) occur frequently along California's north coast, more rocky outcrops are created that are suitable as hibernacula. The relatively high abundance of these suitable outcrops compensates for the marginal macroclimate, allowing C. o. oreganus to occur in the region.

Redefining Teacher Education in India

Professional development of a teacher is a continuous process. Quantitative and qualitative debate may hinder our approach to fill the deep crevices between theory and practice regarding teacher development. Reflective teaching practice and improvement of environment for CPD predetermines for unanimity in variations. Upgrading national policy on education teachers’ training institutions and creating centre of excellence are among few expected ways to meet the challenges. Integration of information and communication technology in education and stimulation of quality assurance system may support CPD. Furthermore, uniform policy on recruitment, cadre of teachers, and financial benefits may induce the overall teachers’ professional development across the time and space.

Microtopographic refuges enhance recruitment and survival but inhibit growth of propagules of the tropical macroalga Sargassum swartzii

For organisms with discrete life-histories, any mechanism that enhances growth and/or survival at critical life-history transitions may significantly influence adult population size. On coral reefs, structurally complex microhabitats enhance the early post-settlement growth and/or survival of fishes and corals; however, the importance of such microhabitats to the early life stages of tropical macroalgae is largely unknown. Here, we investigate the effect of crevices on the recruitment, growth and survival of propagules of a common coral reef macroalga, Sargassum swartzii. We settled S. swartzii propagules onto terracotta settlement tiles that had a series of 3 mm deep crevices evenly spaced on their top (exposed) surface. Recruitment of S. swartzii was 21% greater, but propagules were 18% shorter, 18-days post-settlement within crevices than on adjacent exposed surfaces. Exposing tiles to local fish assemblages for five days showed that survival of propagules was 90% greater in crevices than on exposed areas of the tiles on the reef crest, but not on the reef flat. Underwater video footage revealed that few fishes fed from within the crevices (18% of all bites) with the majority of feeding being concentrated on the exposed surface of tiles. Interestingly, small-bodied fishes from the family Blenniidae (predominantly Ecsenius spp.) accounted for the majority of the feeding activity on the tiles, and likely contributed to the mortality of propagules. Structurally complex microhabitats, such as crevices, that shelter vulnerable early post-settlement propagules from herbivory may therefore be important for the persistence of macroalgae on coral reefs.

A diet rich in C3 plants reveals the sensitivity of an alpine mammal to climate change.

Plant–herbivore interactions provide critical insights into the mechanisms that govern the spatiotemporal distributions of organisms. These interactions are crucial to understanding the impacts of climate change, which are likely to have an effect on the population dynamics of alpine herbivores. The Royle's pika (Ochotona roylei, hereafter pika) is a lagomorph found in the western Himalaya and is dependent on alpine plants that are at risk from climate change. As the main prey of many carnivores in the region, the pika plays a crucial role in trophic interactions. We examined topographical features, plant genera presence and seasonal dynamics as drivers of the plant richness in the pika's diet across an elevational gradient (2,600–4,450 m). We identified 79 plant genera in the faecal pellets of pikas, of which 89% were forbs, >60% were endemic to the Himalaya, and 97.5% of the diet plant genera identified followed the C3 photosynthetic pathway. We found that, during the premonsoon season, the number of genera in the pika's diet decreased with increasing elevation. We demonstrate that a large area of talus supports greater plant diversity and, not surprisingly, results in higher species richness in the pika's diet. However, in talus habitat with deep crevices, pikas consumed fewer plant genera suggesting they may be foraging suboptimally due to predation risk. The continued increase in global temperature is expected to have an effect on the distribution dynamics of C3 plants and consequently influence pika diet and distribution, resulting in a significant negative cascading effect on the Himalayan ecosystem.

Structure of deposits formed from electrosprayed aggregates of nanoparticles

An analysis is presented of the deposition on a collector electrode of electrically charged aggregates generated by electrospray atomization of a suspension of nanoparticles and subsequent evaporation of the carrier liquid. The aggregates are driven towards the collector by an applied electric field and are further attracted by their images in the deposit. Owing to the high electric charge of the aggregates, the image field overcomes the applied field at a distance from the deposit large compared to the size of the aggregates. A linear analysis and Monte Carlo simulations of the deposition process are carried out using an approximate representation of the image field in terms of a point charge and surface dipoles, which is intended to account for large scale features of the deposit only. Numerical results for a deposit of high electrical conductivity display a characteristic surface structure made of islands separated by deep crevices, which resembles the structure found by Tang and Gomez [Aerosol Sci. Technol. 51, 2017] in their recent experiments with electrosprayed suspensions of TiO2 nanoparticles. A scaling analysis predicts that the size of the islands increases as the power 3/4 of the size of the aggregates and decreases as the power −1/2 of the applied electric field. The numerical simulations overpredict the width of the crevices and the porosity of the deposit for small values of the aggregate size or the applied field, probably because the simplified representation of the image forces cannot account for small scale effects which are relevant at the edges of the crevices. A reduced electrical conductivity of the deposit slows down the discharge of deposited aggregates and may destroy the surface structure.

Reprocessing of Catheters Used for Coronary Angiography and Changes in the Polymeric Structures.

BackgroundCatheters are extensively used for coronary angiographies. These devices are long, thin, and flexible tubes of variable diameters that are made of the following polymer compounds: polyamide, polyurethane and Teflon. The objectives of this study are to identify changes that occur in the polymeric structure of the catheters, including an analysis of microcracks, fissures, cuts, perforations, roughness, and porosity in the internal and external layers after the first, second, third, and seventh reprocessing.MethodsFive catheters of the same brand and manufacturer were selected for each analysis, except for the new and seventh catheters, which had only one sample. The catheters that we analyzed included new catheters, catheter reprocessed once (1st), catheters reprocessed twice (2nd), catheters reprocessed three times (3rd), and catheters reprocessed up to seven times (7th). Samples were cut into small pieces and the scanning electron microscope and infrared spectroscopy were used for analysis.ResultsScanning electron microscopy (SEM) of reprocessed catheters revealed rougher surface with porosity, stainless steel wires, peeling of the inner layers, micropores, small holes, disordered cracks, cracks, grooves, microcracks, granular appearance, dots whitish, diffuse microcracks, desquamation, diffuse recesses, depressions, protrusions and deep crevices. Infrared spectroscopy suggested a possible change in the chemical structures of the polymer. There was a directly proportional relationship between the reprocessing number and the carbonyl ratio.ConclusionsThe combined SEM and infrared analyses reveal that reprocessing damages the integrity of coronary angiography catheters. Therefore, the reprocessing of such catheters is not recommended.

Thermoregulatory challenges in the habitat of the world's smallest tortoise, Chersobius signatus

Ectotherms have various means of dealing with low environmental temperatures, but relatively few species have been rigorously investigated. Consequently, we have little information to predict how ectotherm populations might respond to global temperature changes. Tortoises from temperate and subtropical regions often overcome periodically cool conditions by hibernation, but speckled dwarf tortoises (Chersobius signatus) need to remain active to exploit ephemeral resources in their arid winter-rainfall habitat. This study investigated how dwarf tortoises cope with low temperatures in winter and spring, by measuring thermal habitat quality and thermoregulation based on differently-sized operative temperature models in sun, shade, and in deep crevices. Investigations continued in summer and autumn to obtain a year-round picture of thermoregulatory challenges. Although large models (i.e., larger than dwarf tortoises) were expected to have lower operative temperatures than smaller models, due to the former's larger thermal inertia, all model sizes had similar temperatures. Hence, the species’ small body size does not appear constrained by obtainable body temperatures in cool seasons. Nevertheless, low operative temperatures in winter posed a challenge for the tortoises, which reached their field-preferred body temperature for an average of only 0.8−0.9h per day. Moreover, a low thermoregulation effectiveness suggested that tortoises traded-off physiological benefits of favourable body temperatures against predation risk. Spring and autumn provided higher temperatures, but summer caused the greatest thermoregulatory challenge. Although summer body temperatures were closer to field-preferred body temperature than in any other season, tortoises required rock crevices to avoid overheating. The small size of dwarf tortoises might help them utilise crevices. In summer, maximum operative temperatures in crevices were similar to field-preferred body temperature, indicating that an increase in environmental temperatures might be detrimental to dwarf tortoises. In light of projected temperature rises, future studies should assess if dwarf tortoises can cope with higher environmental temperatures in summer.