Publications
| Title | Abstract | Year Filter | PMID(sorted ascending) Filter |
|---|
| description of tachygonetria combesi n. sp. and redescriptions of four species of tachygonetria wedl, 1862 (nematoda: pharyngodonidae), with a new diagnosis of the genus. | the generic diagnosis of tachygonetria wedl, 1862 is modified based on the study and redescription of tachygonetria vivipara wedl, 1862 (collected from large intestine of uromastyx acanthinurus bell, from north africa) and t. dentata (drasche, 1883) (collected from large intestine of testudo graeca linnaeus in settat, morocco and t. hermanni gmelin in catalonia, spain). the following taxa were redescribed: tachygonetria conica (drasche, 1883) and t. robusta (drasche, 1883) (both from the large i ... | 2002 | 12386421 |
| diagnosis and surgical repair of stifle luxation in a spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca). | this report describes stifle luxation resultant from multiple ligamentous injuries in a spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca). despite an absence of obvious trauma in the case history, the tortoise presented with acute, unilateral hind limb lameness. diagnosis of stifle luxation was based on cranial drawer motion, increased rotational joint instability. and radiographic findings. joint stabilization was accomplished by a combination of cranial cruciate reconstruction using an autograft of later ... | 2002 | 12398301 |
| pulmonary candidiasis caused by candida albicans in a greek tortoise (testudo graeca) and treatment with intrapulmonary amphotericin b. | an adult female greek tortoise (testudo graeca) presented with dyspnea, lethargy, and anorexia. severe unilateral pulmonary candidiasis was diagnosed and confirmed by histologic and microbiologic evaluations. initial treatment with ketoconazole resulted in plasma elevations of aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, and bile acids consistent with imidazole-induced hepatotoxicity. plasma chemistry abnormalities resolved upon withdrawal of the drug. temporary osteotomy permitted access ... | 2001 | 12785685 |
| descriptions of two new species of the genus tachygonetria wedl, 1862 (nematoda-pharyngodonidae) and discussion of the relationships among the species of the genus. | two species of pinworm, parasites of testudo graeca linneaus, 1758 from morocco, are described: tachygonetria poulini sp. nov. and tachygonetria settatensis sp. nov. light and scanning electron microscopy studies revealed morphological differences in the structure of the cephalic end in both sexes, as well as in the structure of the caudal end in the male, which enabled us to differentiate these species from others, and from each other. the relationships among the species of the genus tachygonet ... | 2003 | 12898227 |
| [electrocardiographical variations in the heart of the testudo graeca caused by administration of lactic acid]. | 1954 | 13232380 | |
| [muscle and fascia of floor of the mouth in testudo graeca]. | 1955 | 13238860 | |
| an experimental study of the secondary olfactory connexions in testudo graeca. | 1956 | 13295149 | |
| [contributions to ontogenesis of the hypophysis of testudo graeca and emys orbicularis, with special consideration of its relations to prechordal plate, chorda and intestinal roof]. | 1956 | 13468674 | |
| [examination of the ependyma of mesencephalon and diencephalon of the turtle (testudo graeca)]. | 1957 | 13531623 | |
| [light & electron microscopic study of the renal corpuscle of the greek land turtle (testudo graeca l.)]. | 1958 | 13558495 | |
| [the presence in the serum of the bulgarian turtle testudo graeca of agglutinating pasteurella tularensis]. | 1961 | 13733589 | |
| [a particular type of experimental infection in the turtle (testudo graeca and testudo mauritanica)]. | 1960 | 13801287 | |
| [salmonella in tortoises (testudo graeca) in bulgaria. i]. | 1961 | 13886458 | |
| intercellular development of mycobacterium tuberculosis (typus humanus) in tissue culture of kidney epithelium of tortoise (testudo graeca). | 1962 | 13992760 | |
| [multiplication of mumps virus, vaccinia virus and herpesvirus on tortoise (testudo graeca) kidney cells cultured by a simplified method]. | 1963 | 14048735 | |
| [eosinophilic nuclear inclusions induced by the multiplication of newcastle disease virus in tortoise (testudo graeca) kidney cells]. | 1963 | 14048736 | |
| [cultivation of the virus of vesicular stomatitis on tissue culture of cold-blooded animals(testudo graeca)]. | 1964 | 14219378 | |
| cultivating the virus of abortion in sheep on tissue culture of cold-blooded animal (testudo graeca). | 1964 | 14246385 | |
| [amino acid structure of the protein membrane of the egg of the turtle testudo graeca]. | 2007 | 14267171 | |
| the resistance of tortoises, testudo graeca l., against toxocara canis infection. | 1965 | 14272967 | |
| [on the fixation of i-125-triiodothyronine in the kidney of testudo graeca l. (histoautoradiographic study)]. | 1964 | 14335335 | |
| [influence of the serum and plasma of testudo graeca on the culture of embryonal hepatic tissue and human amnion]. | 1961 | 14483041 | |
| [redescription and critical analysis of some oxyurid species of the greek tortoise (testudo graeca l.). diversity of the cephalic structures. ii]. | 2006 | 14486021 | |
| [redescription and critical analysis of some species of oxyurids of the greek tortoise (testudo graeca l.); diversity of the cephalic structures]. | 2006 | 14486022 | |
| redescription of four species of mehdiella from testudinidae, with a key to the species and discussion on the relationships among the species of this genus. | four species of the genus mehdiella seurat, 1918 are redescribed: m. cristata petter, 1966 and m. stylosa dollfusi petter, 1966, parasite of pyxix arachnoides bell, 1827 from madagascar, m. s. stylosa (thapar, 1925) and m. uncinata (drasche, 1884), parasite of testudo graeca linneaus, 1758, testudo hermanni gmelin, 1789 and testudo horsfieldii (gray, 1844) from palaearctic region. light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (sem) studies revealed new informations on the morphology of these ... | 2003 | 14710630 |
| experimental transmission of a herpesvirus in greek tortoises (testudo graeca). | an experimental transmission study aimed at fulfilling koch's postulates for a herpesvirus-associated stomatitis-rhinitis in mediterranean tortoises is presented. clinical, pathologic, serologic, and molecular studies were performed linking tortoise herpesvirus with the pathogenesis of stomatitis-rhinitis. four adult greek tortoises received either intranasally or intramuscularly two tortoise herpesvirus isolates by primary experimental infection and secondary challenge 11 months later. after th ... | 2004 | 14715968 |
| lymphoid aggregates in gonads of embryos, hatchlings, and young of turtles with temperature-dependent sex determination. | cellular infiltrations forming lymphoid-like aggregates were previously observed in gonads of two turtle species exhibiting temperature-dependent sex determination (tsd): at hatching in chelydra serpentina; at and after hatching in emys orbicularis. we show here that such aggregates are also present in gonads of testudo graeca by the end of embryonic development, suggesting that their occurrence is general in turtles. since in c. serpentina, infiltrations were observed mainly in testes exhibitin ... | 2004 | 14743515 |
| [further research on the double uricotelic and ureotelic properties of nitrogen metabolism in the testudo graeca]. | 2013 | 14934485 | |
| [absence of uricase in the testudo graeca liver]. | 2006 | 14934486 | |
| cytotoxic effects of some animal and vegetable extracts and some chemicals on liver and colon carcinoma and myosarcoma. | to study, the cytotoxic effects of some biological and chemical agents on g1, s, g2, m and g0 phases of liver and colon carcinomas and myosarcoma cells obtained with chemical carcinogens dimethylbenzanthracene (dmba) and cadmium chloride. | 2004 | 14968209 |
| reproductive traits in the spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca terrestris): new tools for the enhancement of reproductive success and survivorship. | the mediterranean tortoise (testudo graeca) is listed as "vulnerable" on the iucn red list. reproductive characteristics and means to increase offspring production were studied in t. graeca terrestris in a semi-natural environment. courtship and mating occurred during early spring for about 4 weeks, followed by a laying season of approximately 2 months, with a second, shorter mating period in the fall. during the first mating, calcified eggs were already present in the uterus; we inferred that s ... | 2004 | 15037002 |
| prevalence of mycoplasma agassizii and chelonian herpesvirus in captive tortoises (testudo sp.) in the united kingdom. | during the months of april to august in 1999 and 2002, oral swabs were collected from 146 tortoises (testudo sp.) in private collections in the united kingdom and tested by polymerase chain reaction (pcr) for the presence of mycoplasma agassizii and chelonian herpesvirus (chhv). the presence of m. agassizii was confirmed by restriction digestion of the pcr product. a 307-bp fragment of the chhv ul5 homologue gene was sequenced and found to show most similarity to equine herpesvirus type 1. a pre ... | 2004 | 15193070 |
| borrelia turcica sp. nov., isolated from the hard tick hyalomma aegyptium in turkey. | previously, a novel, fast-growing spirochaete was isolated from the hard tick hyalomma aegyptium, which infests tortoises (testudo graeca), by using barbour-stoenner-kelly (bsk) ii medium; the tick samples were taken from the istanbul area in northwestern turkey [güner et al. (2003). microbiology 149, 2539-2544]. here is presented a detailed characterization of the spirochaete. electron microscopy revealed that strain ist7t is morphologically similar to other spirochaetes of the genus borrelia a ... | 2004 | 15388724 |
| [rapd variation in mediterranean turtle testudo graeca l. (testudinidae)]. | the polymerase chain reaction with arbitrary primers (rapd-pcr) was used to study intraspecific variation in mediterranean turtle testudo graeca, which is represented by the dagestan (t. g. pallasi) and nikolskii (t. g. nikolskii) subspecies in russia. to study the phylogenetic relationships, the rapd variation was also compared in two other t. graeca subspecies (t. g. ibera and t. g. terrestris), two closely related testudo species (t. kleinmanni and t. marginata), and central asian turtle agri ... | 2004 | 15648145 |
| long-term occurrence of hemolivia cf. mauritanica (apicomplexa: adeleina: haemogregarinidae) in captive testudo marginata (reptilia: testudinidae): evidence for cyclic merogony? | blood smears from wild-caught, long-term captive tortoises, testudo marginata, revealed the presence of gametocytes of a hemolivia mauritanica-like hemogregarine in the erythrocytes of 72% tortoises examined. significant parasitemia was also found in animals living several years in captivity. experimentally infected tortoises showed no evidence of a decrease in parasitemia level more than 15 mo after infection. morphologically, stages found in tortoises' erythrocytes were indistinguishable from ... | 2004 | 15715234 |
| mitochondrial haplotype diversity in the tortoise species testudo graeca from north africa and the middle east. | to help conservation programs of the endangered spur-thighed tortoise and to gain better insight into its systematics, genetic variation and evolution in the tortoise species testudo graeca (testudines: testudinidae) was investigated by sequence analysis of a 394-nucleotide fragment of the mitochondrial 12s rrna gene for 158 tortoise specimens belonging to the subspecies testudo graeca graeca, testudo graeca ibera, testudo graeca terrestris, and a newly recognized subspecies testudo graeca white ... | 2005 | 15836787 |
| granulomatous hepatitis caused by salmonella typhimurium in a spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca). | 2005 | 16113171 | |
| epidemiology and biology of nematodofauna affecting testudo hermanni, testudo graeca and testudo marginata in italy. | tortoises of the genus testudo living in italy are testudo hermanni, testudo graeca and testudo marginata. although a great deal of information has been acquired on the internal medicine and surgery on these animals, little is known of their parasitological fauna. a survey on the presence of gastro-intestinal parasitic nematodes in tortoises bred in italy was carried out to acquire extensive epidemiological data. stool samples of 62 tortoises (37 t. hermanni hermanni, 13 t. graeca, 6 t. hermanni ... | 2005 | 16237575 |
| prevalence of hemolivia mauritanica (apicomplexa: adeleina: haemogregarinidae) in natural populations of tortoises of the genus testudo in the east mediterranean region. | hemolivia mauritanica (sergent et sergent, 1904) infections were found in 14% (n= 14) of testudo graeca linnaeus, 1758 tortoises in bulgaria and in 92% (n = 26) of those in turkey. hemolivia mauritanica-like gametocytes were found in 81% (n = 47) of wild testudo marginata schoepff, 1792 tortoises in greece. parasitaemia intensity (the percentage of infected red blood cells found in approximately 104 cells) was 0.03-22.4% in t. graeca and 0.06-12.27% in t. marginata. on the other hand, all blood ... | 2005 | 16405300 |
| salmonella in free living terrestrial and aquatic turtles. | detection of salmonella in pet turtles has been the focus of extensive research, but its incidence in free living turtles is not well known. the aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of salmonella in terrestrial and aquatic species of chelonians inhabiting a national park in southwestern spain. individuals of the terrestrial tortoise testudo graeca (n = 16) and the aquatic turtles emys orbicularis (n = 26) and mauremys leprosa (n = 50) were investigated. maximum incidence of salmonella ... | 2007 | 16979850 |
| lower urinary tract obstruction in a mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) with coxofemoral arthritis. | 2006 | 17028253 | |
| hemolivia mauritanica (haemogregarinidae: apicomplexa) infection in the tortoise testudo graeca in the near east with data on sporogonous development in the tick vector hyalomna aegyptium. | testudo groeca tortoises were collected in the northern and southern golan heights (israeli occupied territory of south syria), and various locations in israel and palestine. hyoalomma oegyptium ticks were found only on golan height tortoises, and only the tortoises and ticks from the northern golan heights were infected with hemolivia mouritanica. tortoises became infected after ingesting infected ticks. male ticks carrying sporocysts, which remain attached to tortoises for extended durations, ... | 2006 | 17285846 |
| leptoconops bezzii (diptera: ceratopogonidae) parasitizing tortoises testudo graeca (testudines: testudinidae) in mountain ranges of lebanon and western syria. | biting midges of the genus leptoconops, subgenus leptoconops (diptera: ceratopogonidae) were repeatedly found parasitizing on spur-thighed tortoises testudo graeca in western syria and lebanon. collected females were assigned to the species l. bezzii according to their morphological characteristics. tortoises parasitized by midges were observed throughout the daytime, under mild temperatures, and slight winds, in mediterranean or stony steppe habitats. intensity of the infestations ranged from a ... | 2007 | 17310393 |
| antibodies to viruses in wild-caught spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca) in turkey. | 2007 | 17652436 | |
| salmonella species in turtles. | salmonella spp. occur abundantly in the feces of the turtles testudo graeca and t. hermanni but rarely in other testudines. these organisms do not seem to produce any kind of infection in the turtles. one possible explanation for the infestation is the coprophagic habit of t. graeca and t. hermanni.. | 1962 | 17732196 |
| cryptosporidium from tortoises: genetic characterisation, phylogeny and zoonotic implications. | cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by apicomplexan parasites of the genus cryptosporidium, which affect the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals worldwide. in the present study, cryptosporidium isolates from captive european tortoises (testudo graeca, testudo hermanni and testudo marginata) in italy were genetically characterised using gene/s encoding cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (cowp) and/or the hypervariable segment internal to the ssu rdna. six isolates from t. graeca, t. h ... | 2008 | 18234467 |
| salmonella species in free-living spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca) in central western morocco. | 2008 | 18281632 | |
| prevalence and intensity of blood apicomplexan infections in reptiles from romania. | in order to evaluate prevalence and intensity of apicomplexan hemoparasites in free-ranging reptiles from romania, blood smears were collected from european pond turtles (emys orbicularis), sand lizards (lacerta agilis), and spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca). all three host species were positive for blood parasites, with prevalence of infected individuals between 60.71% and 100% and variable intensity. similarities and differences with other epidemiological data are discussed. | 2008 | 18283494 |
| plasma concentrations of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol in 22 captive tortoises (testudo species). | the plasma concentration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol was measured in 13 adult hermann's tortoises (testudo hermanni), seven adult spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca) and two adult marginated tortoises (testudo marginata) during 2004. they were healthy, of both sexes, and kept in captivity under natural unfiltered sunlight in southern england with no dietary sources of cholecalciferol. blood samples were taken in march, june and august, and the concentration of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol did ... | 2008 | 18344499 |
| co-distribution pattern of a haemogregarine hemolivia mauritanica (apicomplexa: haemogregarinidae) and its vector hyalomma aegyptium (metastigmata: ixodidae). | hyalomma aegyptium ticks were collected from tortoises, testudo graeca, at localities in northern africa, the balkans, and the near and middle east. the intensity of infestation ranged from 1-37 ticks per tortoise. the sex ratio of feeding ticks was male-biased in all tested populations. larger tortoises carried more ticks than did the smaller tortoises. the juveniles were either not infested, or carried only a poor tick load. hyalomma aegyptium was absent in the western souss valley and ourika ... | 2009 | 18954156 |
| the distal forelimb musculature in aquatic and terrestrial turtles: phylogeny or environmental constraints? | we compared the muscular anatomy of the distal front limb in terrestrial and aquatic chelonians to test whether observed differences between the two groups are associated with their divergent lifestyles and locomotor modes. given the different use of the forelimb in the two environments (body support and propulsion on land vs. mainly propulsion in water) we expected that: (1) aquatic and terrestrial turtles would show differences in their muscular anatomy, with aquatic species having more indivi ... | 2008 | 19172731 |
| evaluation of local ecological knowledge as a method for collecting extensive data on animal abundance. | the use of local ecological knowledge (lek) has been advocated for biodiversity monitoring and management. to date, however, it has been underused in studying wild populations of animals and, particularly, in obtaining quantitative abundance estimates. we evaluated lek as a tool for collecting extensive data on local animal abundance and population trends. we interviewed shepherds in southeastern spain, asking them to estimate the local abundance of the terrestrial tortoise testudo graeca. we qu ... | 2009 | 19183211 |
| detection and partial characterization of herpesviruses from egyptian tortoises (testudo kleinmanni) imported into italy from libya. | a group of approximately 370 egyptian tortoises (testudo kleinmanni) and 36 spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca) were illegally imported into italy from libya. within 6 mo of their entry into italy, all but 40 of the egyptian tortoises had died with signs of severe stomatitis. herpesviruses were detected from the tongues of seven egyptian tortoises by polymerase chain reaction (pcr) and virus isolation. sequencing of a portion of the ul39 homologue of the herpesviruses from three different to ... | 2009 | 19368266 |
| variations in the concentration of ionised calcium in the plasma of captive tortoises (testudo species). | the concentration of ionised calcium was measured in the plasma of 13 hermann's tortoises (testudo hermanni boettgeri), nine spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca ibera), two marginated tortoises (testudo marginata) and six horsfield's tortoises (testudo horsfieldi) maintained under natural unfiltered sunlight in the uk. the numbers were too small to analyse the differences between the species, sexes or the time of the year statistically, but the concentrations of ionised calcium were generally ... | 2009 | 19617613 |
| body size development of captive and free-ranging leopard tortoises (geochelone pardalis). | the growth and weight development of leopard tortoise hatchings (geochelone pardalis) kept at the al wabra wildlife preservation (awwp), qatar, was observed for more than four years, and compared to data in literature for free-ranging animals on body weight or carapace measurements. the results document a distinctively faster growth in the captive animals. indications for the same phenomenon in other tortoise species (galapagos giant tortoises, g. nigra; spur-thighed tortoises, testudo graeca; d ... | 2010 | 19722272 |
| comparison of total calcium, ionised calcium and albumin concentrations in the plasma of captive tortoises (testudo species). | plasma total calcium, ionised calcium and albumin levels in hermann's tortoises (testudo hermanni), spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca), marginated tortoises (testudo marginata) and horsfield's tortoises (testudo horsfieldi) were investigated. the animals were captive adults maintained under natural unfiltered sunlight in the uk with no dietary sources of cholecalciferol. analysis of total calcium data showed statistically significant seasonal elevations in females in august compared with ma ... | 2009 | 19850853 |
| blood delta-alad, lead and cadmium concentrations in spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca) from southeastern spain and northern africa. | mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) is actually included in the iucn as vulnerable species. its main european population is located in southeastern spain. although a great deal of information has been acquired on the internal medicine and survey and even parasitological fauna on these animals, there are no references about contaminants levels in this species. the objectives of this study were to compare the levels of two metals (cadmium and lead) in the blood of spur-thighed tor ... | 2010 | 19937111 |
| does testosterone influence activity budget in the male greek tortoise (testudo graeca graeca)? | the stimulatory effect of testosterone on male sexual activity is one of the clearest examples linking hormones and behaviors. however, this relationship is complex in chelonians. we experimentally studied the influence of testosterone levels on the activity budget and space use in male greek tortoises (testudo graeca graeca) during the spring mating season. we first described the annual pattern of changes in plasma testosterone levels in free-ranging animals in morocco. two peaks, one in winter ... | 2010 | 20226191 |
| risk for the introduction of exotic ticks and pathogens into italy through the illegal importation of tortoises, testudo graeca. | in april 2008, 585 tortoises illegally imported into italy from north africa were examined for the presence of ticks. of these, 221 tortoises (37.8%) were infested with a mean intensity of 3.9 +/- 3.1 ticks (range 1-17 ticks). a total of 798 ticks (672 males, 125 females and one nymph) were collected and identified as hyalomma aegyptium (l.) (acari: ixodidae). the overall male : female ratio observed was 5 : 1. the prevalence and mean intensity [+/-standard deviation (sd)] of ticks were higher a ... | 2010 | 20497316 |
| salmonella infection in illegally imported spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca). | the prevalence of salmonella infection was determined in a group of spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca) seized during two smuggling attempts and in a population of captive hermann's tortoises (testudo hermanni) sheltered in a wildlife rescue centre. salmonella spp. was isolated in 81 of 220 (36.8%) and in 17 of 67 (25.4%) cloacal swabs collected from the t. graeca and t. hermanni tortoises respectively. overall, a total of 21 different salmonella serotypes were found. some of these serotypes ... | 2011 | 20626717 |
| calcium and phosphorus values and their derivatives in captive tortoises (testudo species). | to evaluate the relationships between total calcium and phosphorus and ionised calcium and phosphorus values in clinically healthy tortoises. | 2010 | 20630020 |
| herbivorous reptiles and body mass: effects on food intake, digesta retention, digestibility and gut capacity, and a comparison with mammals. | differences in the allometric scaling between gut capacity (with body mass, bm¹·⁰⁰) and food intake (with bm⁰·⁷⁵) should theoretically result in a scaling of digesta retention time with bm⁰·²⁵ and therefore a higher digestive efficiency in larger herbivores. this concept is an important part of the so-called 'jarman-bell principle' (jbp) that explains niche differentiation along a body size gradient in terms of digestive physiology. empirical data in herbivorous mammals, however, do not confirm ... | 2011 | 20850560 |
| mycoplasma and herpesvirus pcr detection in tortoises with rhinitis-stomatitis complex in spain. | chelonid herpesvirus (chhv) and mycoplasmal infections cause similar clinical signs in terrestrial tortoises and may be the most important causative agents of rhinitis-stomatitis complex, a common disease in captive tortoises worldwide. currently, diagnosis of chhv and mycoplasma spp. infections is most often based on serologic testing. however, serologic results only detect past exposure, and the specificity of these tests can be reduced due to antigenic cross-reactions with other pathogens. mo ... | 2011 | 21270008 |
| detection and characterization of mycoplasma spp. and salmonella spp. in free-living european tortoises (testudo hermanni, testudo graeca, and testudo marginata). | free-living and captive chelonians might suffer from upper respiratory tract disease (urtd), a pathology primarily caused by mycoplasma agassizii. wild tortoises can also be an important reservoir of salmonella spp., which are commensal in the host reptile but are potential zoonotic agents. between july 2009 and june 2010, we screened free-living european tortoises (spur-thighed tortoises testudo graeca, hermann's tortoises testudo hermanni, marginated tortoises testudo marginata) temporarily ho ... | 2011 | 21719840 |
| variation in growth and potentially associated health status in hermann's and spur-thighed tortoise (testudo hermanni and testudo graeca). | captive reptiles often show higher growth rates than in the wild, possibly due to higher feeding intensity. although health problems are usually linked to inappropriate diets, fast growth itself, such as triggered by appropriate diets fed in high amounts, has traditionally also been considered unfavorable for tortoises. we document growth rates (based on age and mass) from private testudo hermanni and t. graeca breeders, which are generally higher than those reported for free-ranging specimens, ... | 2012 | 22290654 |
| differences in helminth infections between captive and wild spur-thighed tortoises testudo graeca in southern spain: a potential risk of reintroductions of this species. | although the spur-thighed tortoise, testudo graeca, is one of the most widely distributed species of tortoises, its natural populations are threatened through its whole range. particularly at south-eastern spain, the species is mainly threatened by habitat destruction and over-collection, given that this chelonian has been traditionally considered an appreciate pet. as south-eastern spanish wildlife recovery centers shelter hundreds of captive animals mainly coming from illegal trade or captive- ... | 2012 | 22440722 |
| a new species of haemoproteus from a tortoise (testudo graeca) in turkey, with remarks on molecular phylogenetic and morphological analysis. | haemoproteus anatolicum n. sp. was identified in the tortoise testudo graeca. the new species is described based on the morphology of its blood stages and a segment of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene, which can be used for molecular identification and diagnosis. chelonian haemoproteids recorded in the past were defined solely on the basis of their morphological characteristics. the chelonian haemoproteid we describe as a new species has a close genetic relationship to lizard haemoproteids, i ... | 2013 | 22924909 |
| zoonotic pathogens associated with hyalomma aegyptium in endangered tortoises: evidence for host-switching behaviour in ticks? | hyalomma aegyptium is a hard-tick with a typical three-host life cycle. the main hosts are palearctic tortoises of genus testudo. however, other hosts can be used by immature ticks for feeding in natural conditions. given this complex ecology and multiple host use, the circulation of pathogens by h. aegyptium between various hosts can be important from epidemiological point of view. the aim of this study was to evaluate the role of h. aegyptium as natural carrier of four important zoonotic patho ... | 2012 | 23273169 |
| multiple congenital malformations in a dicephalic spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca ibera). | a 22-day-old dicephalic spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca ibera) died following a history of lethargy, anorexia and absence of defecation. the two heads were anatomically similar with independent reaction to external stimuli. the carapace showed doubled first and extra second vertebral scutes. radiography and transplastronal ultrasonography, performed when the animal was alive, revealed two symmetrical stomachs and two asynchronous hearts. these findings were confirmed by necropsy examinatio ... | 2013 | 23352900 |
| physical reparative treatment in reptiles. | the tissue growth necessary to achieve a complete or partial restitution ad integrum as a result of injury to soft tissue and/or hard times in reptiles is variable and often needs long time in relation to the species, to the habitat and to their intrinsic physiological characteristics. the purpose of this work was to see if the tissue optimization (to) treatment with radio electric asymmetric conveyer (reac) provided good results in these animals and whether its use translates into reduced time ... | 2013 | 23442770 |
| surfing in tortoises? empirical signs of genetic structuring owing to range expansion. | much of our current knowledge about the genetic dynamics in range expansions originates from models, simulations and microcosm experiments that need to be corroborated by field data. here, we report a neutral genetic pattern that matches the predictions of the genetic surfing theory. genetic surfing occurs when repeated founding events and genetic drift act on the wave of advance of an expanding population, promoting strong spatial structure. in the range expansion of the tortoise testudo graeca ... | 2013 | 23554278 |
| the use of negative pressure wound therapy following subcarapacial abscess excision in a tortoise. | a 42-year-old female testudo graeca was referred with a five-month history of a non-healing carapacial wound. previous treatment had involved long-term antibiotic therapy and conscious debridement of necrotic tissue. on presentation an extensive deep wound with purulent discharge was visible on the right side of the carapace. a computed tomographic scan was performed to assess the extent of the wound. this revealed a large carapacial deficit with two underlying soft tissue masses. surgical debri ... | 2013 | 23889043 |
| gastrointestinal parasitic burdens in uk tortoises: a survey of tortoise owners and potential risk factors. | despite gastrointestinal parasites being commonly diagnosed in captive tortoises throughout the uk, there is a lack of data regarding the prevalence. the aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites in tortoises in the uk, and to investigate the factors affecting the prevalence of these parasites. owners were invited to submit a faecal sample from their tortoise in conjunction with a completed questionnaire covering details of signalment and husbandry. data ... | 2013 | 24158320 |
| wildlife dna forensics against crime: resolution of a case of tortoise theft. | a paternity test was used to investigate a robbery case involving captive individuals of greek tortoise (testudo graeca). six tortoises were allegedly stolen from a private breeder and offered for sale on the web by the supposed thief. the stolen tortoises were confiscated by the rangers of the state forestry corps (cfs). a panel of 14 autosomal microsatellite loci was used to genotype the seized tortoises and ten individuals assumed to be legally owned by the breeder. kinship analyses reliably ... | 2014 | 24315609 |
| imaging diagnosis--seminoma causing liver compression in a spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca). | a 13-year-old male spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) was presented with anorexia, apathy, and prolapse of penile tissue. ultrasonography revealed a large heterogeneous mass in the coelomic cavity, and fine-needle aspiration demonstrated sperm. magnetic resonance imaging showed a sharply defined mass originating from the left testis. appearance and signal intensities were similar to those reported in testicular neoplasms in humans, in particular sharing similarities with seminomas. necropsy ... | 2016 | 24506145 |
| hidden threat of tortoise ticks: high prevalence of crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever virus in ticks hyalomma aegyptium in the middle east. | it is the first time that crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever virus (cchfv), causing potentially lethal disease of humans, has been reported from the middle east region and from the tortoise tick hyalomma aegyptium from a tortoise host, whose epidemiological significance may have remained almost completely overlooked so far. we used rt-pcr to screen for 245 ticks collected from 38 testudo graeca tortoise individuals. results of our genetic screening provide unambiguous evidence of occurrence of cch ... | 2014 | 24618184 |
| soft plastron, soft carapace with skeletal abnormality in juvenile tortoises. histopathology and isolation of a novel picornavirus from testudo graeca and geochelone elegans. | a disease is described in juvenile tortoises (testudo graeca and geochelone elegans) consisting mainly of a soft carapace, soft plastron and deformed skeleton. the aim of this study was to determine histopathological lesions and the biological properties of the isolated viruses. | 2014 | 25323213 |
| transstadial transmission of borrelia turcica in hyalomma aegyptium ticks. | borrelia turcica comprises the third major group of arthropod-transmitted borreliae and is phylogenetically divergent from other borrelia groups. the novel group of borrelia was initially isolated from hyalomma aegyptium ticks in turkey and it was recently found in blood and multiple organs of tortoises exported from jordan to japan. however, the ecology of these spirochetes and their development in ticks or the vertebrate hosts were not investigated in detail; our aims were to isolate the patho ... | 2015 | 25695663 |
| infestation of the spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) by hyalomma aegyptium in tunisia. | we examined 210 spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca) for the presence of ticks in tunisia during may 2014. a total number of 602 adult ticks were collected and identified leading to the estimation of parasitological indicators. all the ticks belonged to a single species: hyalomma aegyptium. the mean infestation prevalence was 66.2%, mean overall infestation intensity and abundance were 4.33 and 2.86 ticks/tortoise respectively. our survey showed that tortoises were significantly more infested ... | 2015 | 25791981 |
| phylogeny, diversity, distribution, and host specificity of haemoproteus spp. (apicomplexa: haemosporida: haemoproteidae) of palaearctic tortoises. | a complex wide-range study on the haemoproteid parasites of chelonians was carried out for the first time. altogether, 811 samples from four tortoise species from an extensive area between western morocco and eastern afghanistan and between romania and southern syria were studied by a combination of microscopic and molecular-genetic methods. altogether 160 haemoproteus-positive samples were gathered in the area between central anatolia and eastern afghanistan. according to variability in the cyt ... | 2015 | 25939459 |
| whole genome characterization of a chelonian orthoreovirus strain identifies significant genetic diversity and may classify reptile orthoreoviruses into distinct species. | in this study we report the sequence and phylogenetic characterization of an orthoreovirus strain, ch1197/96, isolated from a spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) on chicken embryo fibroblast cells. the 23,957 bp long genome sequence was obtained by combined use of semiconductor and capillary sequencing. although the genomic characterization showed that the virus was most similar to the bush viper reovirus strain, 47/02, and in phylogenies performed with all segments the two strains formed a m ... | 2016 | 26892635 |
| development of a consensus reverse transcription pcr assay for the specific detection of tortoise picornaviruses. | picornaviruses (pvs) of different terrestrial tortoise species, previously designated as virus "x," have been frequently detected from various tissues by virus isolation in terrapene heart cell culture as the preferred laboratory method for diagnosis. here, we describe the development of 2 diagnostic reverse transcription (rt)-pcr-based assays for the identification and characterization of tortoise pvs belonging to the tentative genus topivirus to test the novel diagnostic systems, pvs were isol ... | 2016 | 27034342 |
| risk of pesticide exposure for reptile species in the european union. | environmental pollution has an especially high impact on wildlife. this is especially the case in industrialized countries. although, many species within the european union benefit from protection by the habitats directive, no special consideration is given to possible detrimental effects of pesticides. this is in particular remarkable as negative effects, which may lead to a regional diversity loss, have already been identified in laboratory and mesocosm studies. we conducted a pesticide exposu ... | 2016 | 27182977 |
| the dependence of hyalomma aegyptium on its tortoise host testudo graeca in algeria. | hyalomma aegyptium (linnaeus, 1758) (ixodida: ixodidae) has recently been confirmed as a carrier of numerous pathogenic, including zoonotic, agents. four environmentally distinct regions of algeria, located between the humid coastal zone and the arid saharan atlas range, were selected in order to compare differences in tick abundance among localities, and the correlations between tick abundance and host population characteristics and other environmental conditions. sampling was carried out durin ... | 2016 | 27218892 |
| hyperplastic stomatitis and esophagitis in a tortoise (testudo graeca) associated with an adenovirus infection. | a 2-year-old female, spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) was presented with poor body condition (1/5) and weakness. fecal analysis revealed large numbers of oxyurid-like eggs, and radiographs were compatible with gastrointestinal obstruction. despite supportive medical treatment, the animal died. at gross examination, an intestinal obstruction was confirmed. histopathology revealed severe hyperplastic esophagitis and stomatitis with marked epithelial cytomegaly and enormous basophilic intranu ... | 2016 | 27486139 |
| low tortoise abundances in pine forest plantations in forest-shrubland transition areas. | in the transition between mediterranean forest and the arid subtropical shrublands of the southeastern iberian peninsula, humans have transformed habitat since ancient times. understanding the role of the original mosaic landscapes in wildlife species and the effects of the current changes as pine forest plantations, performed even outside the forest ecological boundaries, are important conservation issues. we studied variation in the density of the endangered spur-thighed tortoise (testudo grae ... | 2017 | 28273135 |
| human-mediated secondary contact of two tortoise lineages results in sex-biased introgression. | human-mediated secondary contact of recently diverged taxa offers valuable opportunities for studying the evolutionary mechanisms involved in the establishment and maintenance of genetic boundaries between taxa. we used mitochondrial and microsatellite markers to examine a recently introduced population of the spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) of mixed origin in the doñana national park (sw spain). the earliest records of tortoises in doñana trace back to the 18th century, but several popul ... | 2017 | 28642457 |
| detection of mycoplasma spp., herpesviruses, topiviruses, and ferlaviruses in samples from chelonians in europe. | we tested samples from 1,015 chelonians in europe for mycoplasma spp., herpesviruses, ranaviruses, picornaviruses, and ferlaviruses by pcr. mycoplasma spp. were detected in 42.1% and herpesviruses were detected in 8.0% of tested chelonians. differentiation of the herpesviruses revealed that 46.9% of the detected chelonian viruses were testudinid herpesvirus 1 (tehv-1) and 54.3% were tehv-3, including co-detections of tehv-1 and -3 in 3 tortoises. tehv-4 was detected in a leopard tortoise ( stigm ... | 2017 | 28754074 |
| histochemical and ultrastructural study of the digestive tract of the tortoise testudo graeca (testudines). | the digestive tract of the tortoise testudo graeca (testudines) was investigated by means of light and electron microscopy. the esophagus of t. graeca was lined by two types of epithelium: non-keratinized stratified squamous in the upper portion and stratified columnar in the lower. the lamina propria of the esophagus contained tubular or tubuloacinar glands. the mucosa of the stomach showed similar characteristics to those of other reptiles. the small intestine exhibited longitudinal folds line ... | 1990 | 29865718 |
| tick parasitism in the mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise in the maamora forest, morocco. | macroparasites in general, and ectoparasites in particular, have the potential to regulate host population dynamics. in this context, this study addresses the tick parasitism traits of the mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) in the core area of its distribution range (northwestern morocco, maamora). it was discovered that 92.5% of the tortoises were parasitized by ticks in spring, with an infestation intensity and an abundance of 6.7 and 6.2 tick/tortoise, respectively. the obse ... | 2019 | 30459084 |
| intranuclear coccidiosis in tortoises - discovery of its causative agent and transmission. | intranuclear coccidiosis of testudines (known as tinc) is an emerging disease in chelonians. although endogenous stages were repeatedly detected in various tissues, attempts to find the oocysts in faeces failed, leaving the question of the transmission and classification of the causative agent of tinc unresolved. we recorded small spherical oocysts (∼6-7 μm in diameter) of an eimeriid coccidium in faeces of a leopard tortoise (stigmochelys pardalis). sporulated oocysts were used for the experime ... | 2019 | 30481662 |
| investigations on the prevalence of tortoise picorna-virus in captive tortoises in germany. | tortoise picornavirus (topv) has been speculated to play an important role in the frequently seen disease pattern of juvenile shell softening. this study aimed to determine topv prevalence among german tortoise collections. | 2018 | 30541170 |
| the role of virus "x" (tortoise picornavirus) in kidney disease and shell weakness syndrome in european tortoise species determined by experimental infection. | tortoise picornavirus (topv) commonly known as virus "x" was recently discovered in juvenile european tortoises suffering from soft carapace and plastron as well as kidney disease. therefore, this virus was a potential candidate to be a causative agent for these disease patterns. spur thighed tortoises (testudo graeca) seemed to be more susceptible to establish clinical symptoms than other european species like t. hermanni. thus this trial investigated the role of topv in the described syndrome. ... | 2019 | 30779796 |
| orchiectomy in testudo species: technical aspects and effect on courtship behaviour. | courtship behaviour of tortoises includes biting, ramming, chasing, same-sex sexual behaviour, and it commonly is excessive in european tortoise species kept as pets. as a result, males are kept individually. to assess the effect of orchiectomy on excessive courtship behaviour in european tortoises, 50 tortoises (testudo graeca , t hermanni and t marginata ) underwent endoscopically assisted orchiectomy from april through september 2013 to 2017. statistical analyses were performed in relation to ... | 2019 | 30878949 |
| absence of crimean-congo haemorrhagic fever virus in the tick hyalomma aegyptium parasitizing the spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) in tunisia. | free-ranging spur-thighed tortoises testudo graeca, captured in different habitat types of northern tunisia from march to april 2017, were examined for tick infestation: 134/147 (91%) were infested. the overall infestation intensity and abundance was 8.5 and 7.8, respectively. from these tortoises, 1174 ticks were collected, of which 10% (n = 120) taken from 18 randomly-selected tortoises were identified at the species level; the remaining ticks were examined for the presence of crimean-congo ha ... | 2019 | 31198174 |
| population density of the spur-thighed tortoise testudo graeca declines after fire in north-western africa. | fire is a key ecological process in several biomes worldwide. over recent decades, human activities (e.g. rural abandonment, monoculture plantations) and global warming are magnifying the risk of fire, with changes in fire intensity and frequency. here, we offer the first study that examines the impact of fire on the spur-thighed tortoise testudo graeca living in a native cork oak forest and pine plantation in north-western africa. a total of 44 transects (22 burnt and 22 unburnt) were sampled a ... | 2019 | 31419242 |
| pathogenic rickettsia in ticks of spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca) sold in a qatar live animal market. | the dissemination of vector arthropods harbouring zoonotic pathogens through the uncontrolled transboundary trade of exotic and pet animals poses an important threat to public health. in the present report, we describe the introduction of pathogenic rickettsia africae and r. aeschlimanni in ticks removed from imported tortoises in qatar. a total of 21 ticks were collected from pet spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca) from doha, may 2018, and studied for species identification and characteriza ... | 2020 | 31574580 |
| impact of habitat loss on the diversity and structure of ecological networks between oxyurid nematodes and spur-thighed tortoises (testudo graeca l.). | habitat loss and fragmentation are recognized as affecting the nature of biotic interactions, although we still know little about such changes for reptilian herbivores and their hindgut nematodes, in which endosymbiont interactions could range from mutualistic to commensal and parasitic. we investigated the potential cost and benefit of endosymbiont interactions between the spur-thighed tortoise (testudo graeca l.) and adult oxyurid nematodes (pharyngodonidae order oxyurida) in scrublands of sou ... | 2019 | 31824759 |
| occurrence and diversity of campylobacter species in captive chelonians. | the aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and diversity of campylobacter species in chelonians. from july 2016 to september 2017, a total of 452 individuals from a large variety of tortoises (n = 366) and turtles/terrapins (n = 86) kept in private collections and breeding centres, wildlife rescue centres, zoos, pet shops, and veterinary clinics from northern italy was sampled and subjected to microbiological examination. campylobacter genus and species confirmation was performed by ... | 2020 | 31928704 |
| predation of young tortoises by ravens: the effect of habitat structure on tortoise detectability and abundance. | the predation of young tortoise is considered a major cause of mortality for many tortoise species. the predation by common ravens has been identified as being responsible for significant decreases in tortoise populations. mediterranean spur-thighed tortoise hatchlings and juveniles in maamora forest (morocco) were studied in order to describe the size/age class predation of common ravens on young tortoises and infer the drivers of predation risk and population abundance. the results showed a hi ... | 2020 | 32024887 |