Vol. 7 No. 2 (2012)
Articles

Morphological variability of the Hermann's tortoise (<em>Testudo hermanni</em>) in the Central Balkans

Katarina Ljubisavljević
Institute for Biological Research, University of Belgrade
Georg Džukić
Institute for Biological Research, University of Belgrade
Tanja Vukov
Institute for Biological Research, University of Belgrade
Miloš Kalezić
Institute of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade and Institute for Biological Research, University of Belgrade

Published 2012-12-31

How to Cite

Ljubisavljević, K., Džukić, G., Vukov, T., & Kalezić, M. (2012). Morphological variability of the Hermann’s tortoise (<em>Testudo hermanni</em>) in the Central Balkans. Acta Herpetologica, 7(2), 253–262. https://doi.org/10.13128/Acta_Herpetol-10930

Abstract

Variation in a number of morphological characters were analysed in five populations of Testudo hermanni from Serbia and Montenegro. Tortoises from Serbia appeared significantly larger than those from Montenegro. An insular population of Montenegro was distinct due to its extremely small body size and mass and dark plastral pigmentation. Although the majority of tortoises had the supracaudal scute divided, many tortoises had the scute undivided. Effects of possible genetic divergence and/or adaptation to different environmental conditions on observed morphological variation were discussed.

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