
Eastern Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri) is a subspecies of Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni) found in Albania. Gender determination is one of the crucial elements in determining the population dynamics in all species. Female and male adult tortoises look different, but these differences can be difficult to distinguish in captivity or when their sex indicators are deformed or injured. Therefore, the aim of this study was to use indirect and non-invasive methods such as geometric morphometric analysis to determine the sex of adult tortoises. For the geometric morphometry, 17 female and 23 male Hermann's tortoises were collected and photographed from the hills and mountains around the Tirana district of Albania between August and October 2019. Sexes were discriminated based on geometric morphometry, and plastron shape was a better indicator than carapace shape. In addition, abdominal, femoral and anal scutes on the plastron and the ratio of femoral to pectoral suture lengths were important for the sex distinction. Females had a larger plastron than males; this may have been supported by fecundity selection, because a large plastron suggests more volume in which to store eggs. The femoral and anal scutes were larger in male tortoises, and serve as a stronger base during mating. This study was conducted for adults only, and future studies are needed to determine if these indicators also apply to hatchlings and juveniles.
Testudo-Hermanni, Body-Size, 590, Chelonia-Mydas, Shape, Biodiversity, Testudo hermanni boettgeri, Turtles, Sex discriminate, Caretta-Caretta, Albania, Hatchlings, Testudo hermanni boettgeri, Sex discriminate, Geometric morphometry, Abdominal scutes, Albania., Abdominal scutes, Geometric morphometry, Taxonomy, Pivotal Temperature
Testudo-Hermanni, Body-Size, 590, Chelonia-Mydas, Shape, Biodiversity, Testudo hermanni boettgeri, Turtles, Sex discriminate, Caretta-Caretta, Albania, Hatchlings, Testudo hermanni boettgeri, Sex discriminate, Geometric morphometry, Abdominal scutes, Albania., Abdominal scutes, Geometric morphometry, Taxonomy, Pivotal Temperature
| selected citations These citations are derived from selected sources. This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | 1 | |
| popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network. | Average | |
| influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically). | Average | |
| impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network. | Average |
