The tortuga gazette july august 2013 by Minnesota Herpetological Society

California

Turtle^ Tortoise

thelortuga Gazette C^r

California Turtle & Tortoise Club Founded in 1964 Dedicated to Turtle & Tortoise Preservation, Conservation and Education

July I August 2013 Volume 49;, Number 4

Bolson tortoise, Gopherus flavomarginatus, photographed inside the compound at the desert field station of the Mapimf Biosphere Reserve, Photo by David J. Germano. Reprinted with permission.

Bolson Tortoise,

Gopherusflavomarginatus

La Tortuga del Bolson de Mapimi by M.A.Cohen

he largest of the five known species of Gopherus tortoises is the bolson tortoise, G. flavomargincrtus. It is the largest terrestrial reptile in North America. In its native land, the bolson tortoise is called la tortuga grande, which translates into English as "the large (or great) turtle." Other Spanish common names for the species include tortuga del monte ("turtle of the mountain.") and tortuga del llanera ("turtle of the plains"). The bolson tortoise is endemic to central northern Mexico, where it lives

in isolated pockets within the region of the Chihuahuan Desert known as the Bolson de Mapimf which translates into English as the Mapimi Basin. While researchers have evidence that the species once roamed the entire Chihuahuan Desert, and possibly beyond, it currently inhabits a drastically reduced area within the Mapimi Basin. The species was first described in the scientific literature in 1959 by John M. Legler in a paper titled "A new tortoise, genus Gopherus., from north-central Mexico" published by the University of

Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History. When first published, the "new" species was met with considerable skepticism. Through time it has been widely accepted as a valid species. G. flavomarginatus is possibly the least studied of the known Gopherus species. Even though it inhabits a harsh, remote ecosystem, the bolson tortoise faces significant threats to its continued existence. Tie origin of these threats is largely due to the human presence in the habitat of the tortoise, and will be discussed later in this article.

Identification

Ie of Contents Turtle of the Month: Bolson tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus) 1 £a Tortuga del ^Bolson de (JMapimi by M. A. Cohen 5 2013 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium Summaries: Day 2 9 CTTC Adoptions: 2012 Year-end Summary by Species compiled by Diana Gatti, CTTC Cen-Val Chapter

in every issue 2 Table of Contents 7 Mikes Turtle Net Picks by Michael J. Connor, PhD + Meetings and Programs 11 Classified Advertisements + Membership Information

JS AltEKNOS-VeSHPREM

^ §^

ill

POSTA California Turde & Tortoise Club: a Society Dedicated to Turde & Tortoise Preservation, Conservation and Education Since 1964. Promoting and Facilitating the Care, Rescue and Adoption of Native and Nonnative Turdes and Tortoises.

The Tortuga gazette (ISSN 1073-1334) is owned by the California Turde & Tortoise Club Executive Board, which is incorporated in the State of California as a Not-for-Profit Corporation and is tax-exempt under IRS code 501(c)(3). All material is copyright © CTTC unless otherwise attributed. CTTC policy permits reproduction of articles by other not-for-profit groups and educational institutions when permission is requested. Permission is granted on a case-by-case basis and CTTC must be cited as ttve source, of the. material. Views expressed in the 'Tortuga. Qazette are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Editor or the California Turde & Tortoise Club.

Please let us know if you are moving! Send address changes/corrections to the ^Tortugct (gazette Distribution email address <tgdistrikWion@tortoise.org> or mail to P.O. Box 7300, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7300. Tortuga Gazette

Gopherusflavomarginatus is a relatively large land-dwelling tortoise, typically reaching a carapace length of 14.5 inches (37 centimeters) at maturity. The mass of mature individuals is estimated to be from 33 to 40 pounds (15 to 18 kilograms) or more. The carapace of the species is oblong in shape and varies in coloration from straw-colored through greenishyellow to brown. The central area of the scutes, known to biologists as the areola, is darker brown or black. The species w3Lm&} flavomarginatus, is derived from two Latin root words: flav-, meaning "yellow" and -marginato, meaning "edge" or "border." This describes the lateral marginal scutes of the species, which tend to be 1 in color than the rest of the carapace. The plastron of the bolson tortoise is typically yellow with a dark-brown to black blotch on each scute in younger animals. The dark blotches tend to fade as the animal matures. As is typical of other Gopherus and tail of the bolson tortoise is yellow to brown. The male usually has a more concave plastron than the female, but there are exceptions to this generalization. The tail of the male is larger than that of the female. The male's cloaca situated outside the rear marginals, whereas the female's cloaca is underneath the rear marginals. The male displays enlarged chin glands, particularly during mating season. An unusual characteristic of the male bolson tortoise is the two darktipped spurs on the thigh of each of its hind legs; these are absent in the female of the species. Of the five Gopherus species, the bolson tortoise is physiologically most closely related to the gopher tortoise, G. polyphemus, a native of the southeastern United States.

Range Historically the bolson tortoise occupied a significantly larger range

than it does today. During the Pleistocene epoch (spanning the time from 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago), there is scientific evidence that the species ranged as far north as the modern state of Oklahoma in the United States and as far south as the Transverse Volcanic Axis, running from the states of Jalisco east to Veracruz, in central southern Mexico. The modern range of the G.flavomarginata is considerably more limited than the estimated historical range. In\ the decade between 1970 and 1980, \. __tensive field studies on the species. In a paper published in 1982, he estimated that the wild population at that time was confined to less than 20,000 square miles (50,000 square kilometers) in central northern Mexico in the Mapimf Basin. Subsequent research indicated that this range estimate was probably too optimistic. A paper published in 1997 estimated that the range of G. flavomarginatus could be as small as 2.3 square miles (6,000 square kilometers), and "the actual area occupied by tortoises may not be larger than 0.38 square miles (1,000 square kilometers), supporting a maximum population of 10,000 adults" (Aguirre, et.al, 1997). Bear in mind that this paper was published 16 years ago!

Habitat Encyclopedia Britannica Online describes a bolson as "a semiarid, flatfloored desert valley or depression, usually centered on a playa or salt pan and entirely surrounded by hills or mountains. It is a type of basin Volume 49, Number 4

(Pleuraphis [=Hilaria\ on which thermal rejfiige from the temperature excharacteristic of basin-and-range terrain. Bolson tortoises feed. Other plant life in tremes of the surface environment. The term is usually applied only to certhe tobosa grassland ecosystem includes tain basins of the southwestern United As temperatures begin to fall and raincreosote (Larrea divaricatd), prickly pear States and northern Mexico." Rivers and fall diminishes in late October, tortoises (Opuntia species), guayule (Parthenium streams in the Mapimf Basin flow toward again take to their burrows for their anargentatum), mesquite (Prosopis glanduthe center of the valley floor rather than nual winter dormancy. losa), tarbush (Flourensia cernud), etc. to the Gulf of Mexico. These rivers and Because G. flavomarginatus evolved streams usually end in swamps or ephemduring the Pleistocene Epoch, when Seasonal Activities eral lakes. Planet Earth was generally warmer and The bolson tortoise is typically dorMapimf Basin is some 50,000 square wetter, plant life on the grasslands of mant in its burrow from the onset of the miles (129,000 square kilometers) in total Mexico was more lush and plentiful than cold, dry winter season through early area and overlays portions of the Mexican it is today. Given the increasingly drier spring. During this time temperatures on states of Durango, Chihuahua, Coahuila conditions in its range, scientists specuand Zacatecas. The area is late that climate change is one named after the town of of the contributing factors to Mapimf in Durango. the decline of the bolson torG. flavomarginatus intoise, both because of reduced habits the plains and low supplies of quality foods and hills in the Mapimf Basin because of the skewing of the at elevations of 3,280 feet sex ratios in an animal that is (1,000 meters) to 4,265 feet dependent on the incubation (1,300 meters), possibly up temperature of its eggs for sex to 4,593 feet (1,400 meters). determination of hatchlings. Soils in this region are alkaLegal Protection line, coarse, and composed The bolson tortoise is largely of sand. afforded legal protection The species prefers arthrough Mexican^ _wijxllife_ eas, in the Mapimf Basinâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;i Bolson tortoise, Gopherusflavomarginatus, photographed in Durango, Mexico. Photo ÂŠ 2005 by MylesTraphagen. laws issued by the Ministry with a slope of 1 to 2.5%. Source: Creative Commons. of Social Development (SecPoorly drained areas with retaria de Desarrollo Social the soil surface are dangerously low and a slope of less than 0.5% are less desir[SEDESOL]) (Zylstra, 2007). The Unitfood is in short supply. The tortoise may able for burrowing, probably due to the ed States Fish & Wildlife Service listed G. bask at the mouth of its burrow on sunny possibility of summer flooding. In areas flavomarginatus as "endangered" in the days, and may even occasionally forage where the slope exceeds 3%, no burrows Endangered Species Act in 1979. At the for food. This winter dormancy occurs are found. This is presumably because the second meeting of the CITES Conference from November through April. sandy soil of the lesser inclines is replaced of the Parties held in San Jose, Costa Rica The species emerges from winter dorby the coarser desert pavement overlying in the same year, the species was uplisted mancy with periodic foraging sessions in rocky substrate, making burrow excavato Appendix I from its previous listing in May and early June, especially if spring tion impossible and plant growth limited Appendix II. brings enough rainfall to promote the (Morafka, 1982). germination of seedlings. Observers in This region, according to Dr. Morafka, Threats Mexico report that courtship and mating is "characterized by strong seasonality." The most significant threats to the occur during this time. Winters are cold and dry, with evening bolson tortoise are posed by humans. PreWhen the warmer, wetter weather ocfrost from November through March. dation of the species for food and habitat curs from late July through September, January is typically the coldest month of modification are continuing issues despite tortoises are active and out of their burthe year. Spring, April and May, is warm the layers of legal protection enacted by rows grazing and hydrating. In the wild, and dry. Summers, June through Octovarious governmental agencies. females typically nest in June and July; ber, are hot and wet; June is on average Since the pre-Columbian era, the torhatchlings emerge from their nests from the warmest month of the year. Summer toise and its eggs have been taken by the July through early October. During peis the season during which most of the native people as sources of protein. Arrival riods of intense heat, the bolson tortoise significant rainfall occurs. of European settlers exacerbated the situwill retreat into its burrow to escape the The vegetation in the Mapimf Baation, with tortugueros^ tortoise hunters, searing surface temperatures. As with all sin is described as tobosa grassland. The excavating burrows using tools such as Gopherus species, the burrow provides a dominant plant material is tobosa grass picks and shovels. July\August 2013

Tortuga Gazette

O The construction of a railroad line running- from Cuatro Cienegas, Coahuila south, to the city of Coahuila — through tortoise habitat — has had dire consequences for the species. Due to direct human predation, tortoises within 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) on either side of the railway have been extirpated. Another development that has contributed to the declining population of G. flavomarginatus is a Mexican government program to establish cooperative farms (ejidos) in "under-utilized" regions such as the Bolson de Mapimi. "With irrigation, cotton, beans, corn and melons are grown on the cooperative farms. TGhe settlers are often inexperienced in farming and are forced to subsist by hunting wildlife, resulting, of course, in the exploitation of the bolson tortoise for food. Agriculture (plowing and irrigation), overgrazing by cattle and goats, off-road vehicle usage, oil and gas exploration — all are contributing to the modification and destruction of bolson tortoise habitat.

Species Conservation Located in Carlsbad, New Mexico, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park has been conducting a successful Bolson tortoise captive breeding program that has produced well over 100 hatchlings. The Living Desert Zoo has partnered with the Turner Endangered Species Fund in an effort to produce genetically diverse captive-bred hatchlings. Mapimf Biosphere Reserve Founded in 1977 under "a cooperative program with the State of Durango, the federal government of Mexico, UNESCO, the Mexican Ecological Institute," and local rancher Rosendo Aguilera, the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve (MBR) is located within the Bolson de Mapimi in the state of Durango (Morafka., 19 &2). The MBR is one of 500 protected areas in 100 countries in a World Network of Biosphere Reserves, which are internationally recognized living laboratories. "Biosphere reserves were developed in part to integrate conservation with regional development objectives and thereby to include protected areas within the resource Tortuga Gazette

management of inhabited areas" (Kaus, 1993). El Laboratorio del Desierto ("the desert laboratory") is the name of the MBR field station managed by El Institute de Ecologia,A.C. (INECOL). A primary goal of the field station is researching and protecting the bolson tortoise in habitat. With the cooperation of the local residents, considerable success has been achieved with regard to tortoise protection within the Reserve itself.

Tu participaddn es fundamental para ta conscrvaci6n dellugar.

Signage atthe entrance of the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve. Photo by Robert Trebor. Public domain.

Turner Endangered Species Fund Ted Turner, an American businessman and environmentalist, founded the Turner Endangered Species Fund (TESF), which works with a variety of endangered species. At two TSEF facilities, the Ladder Ranch and the Armendaris Ranch, captive breeding programs for the bolson tdftm^f ^s^^s^r^^^n^^^^^s^ species to its former range. Both ranches are located near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico in the Chihuahuan Desert Ecoregion. In 2006, 26 adult and 7 hatchling captive bolson tortoises were transferred from the Appleton ranch in southern Arizona to the TESF's Armendaris Ranch. The animals had lived in captivity in Arizona for several decades, and were the first members of the TESF breeding colonies. The Appleton captives were placed in "secure enclosures...at Armendaris Ranch...[that] contained soil textures, dominant forage vegetation, and landscape gradients selected to mimic those at the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve" (Phillips and McCaffrey). Currently the population numbers over 225 bolson tortoises. Future plans include the first releases of captive-bred juvenile tortoises into the wilds of New Mexico's Chihuahuan Desert in 2013. Candidates for release will be at least 4.3 inches (110 millimeters) in length, and will be PIT-tagged and tracked with solar-powered GPS units.

Turtle Conservancy Property adjacent to the INECOL field station in the MBR has been purchased by the Turtle Conservancy and the Andrew Sabin Family Foundation with the assistance of Josiah T. Austin and the Desert Tortoise Council. This significant parcel of land is 11,861 acres (4,800 hectares) in size, and' is located in the middle of the MBR in prime bolson tortoise habitat. ^—.JTKg FitfLddfion deJ^Jlu will manage the wildlife preserve, protecting it from habitat destruction by the overgrazing of livestock and off-highway vehicular traffic. c^%

REFERENCES Aguirre, G., D. J. Morafka, and G. A. Adest 1997. Conservation strategies for the Bolson Tortoise, Gopherus flavomarginatus, in the Chihuahuan Desert Proceedings; conservation, restoration, and management of tortoises and turtles - An International Conference, pp. 333-338. New York Turtle and Tortoise Society, New York, New York. Kaus, A. 1993. Environmental Perceptions and Social Relations in the Mapimi Biosphere Reserve. Conservation Biology, 7:398-406. doi: 10.1046/J.15231739.1993.07020398.x Kiester, A. R. and R. P. Ramos. 2012. The Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus). The Tortoise 1 (1), pp. 22-28. Morafka, D. J, 1982. The status and distribution of the Bolson Tortoise, Gopherus flavomarginatus. In R. B. Bury (ed.), North American Tortoises: Conservation and Ecology, pp. 71-94. Wildlife Research Report 12, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C. Phillips, M. and M. McCaffrey. Restoring a Pleistocene Relict: the bolson tortoise recovery project. Turner Endangered Species Fund, Bozeman, Montana.<http://tesf.org/Reports/bolsontortoiseprospectus.pdf> Zylstra, E. 2007. The Bolson Tortoise (Gopherus flavomarginatus): King of the (Re-) Wild Frontier. Sonoran Herpetologist, 20(5), pp. 50-54.

Volume 49, Number 4

2013 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium: Day 2 The following article provides summaries of the presentations introduced at the 2013 Desert Tortoise Council Symposium, which took place February 15 to 17 in Las Vegas, Nevada. To view the authors' abstracts, as well as complete listings of all the authors for each paper, please visit the Desert Tortoise Council web site's Abstracts pages at the following URL: www.deserttortoise.org/symposium/2013_abstracts.pdf

(

Renewable Energy in the Desert

1 J

An Overview of the Second Independent Science Review of the CA Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan Conducted in 2012 presented by Steve Schwarzbach, Director, Western Ecological Research Center, U.S. Geological Survey

The Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP) is addressing a conflict: protect versus develop. TEis is a conflict between habitat management and energy development in the desert. Desert ecosystems are understudied. A review of scientific literature published from 2000 to 2011 found that 67% of the studies focused on forests while 9% of the studies focused on deserts. A panel of 15 independent science advisors known as the Independent Science Panel reviewed the draft documents of the DRECP and identified a number of areas that require more attention. These areas include the covered species list, species distribution modeling, mapping and land classifications, climate change, and text editing, among others.

The California Deserts: Floristic Frontier or a Hotbed of Sacrifice? presented by James M. Andre, Granite Mountains Research Center, University of California Riverside

The Mojave and Sonoran Deserts on the western edge of the Great Basin comprise some 29 million acres of the California landmass while having 38% (2,430) of California's plant taxa. Some July{August 2013

are ancient species; creosote (Larrea triduring their soaring flight. During lodentatd), for example, is a species 10 times cal movements, their flight is low to the older than the redwoods (Sequoia species). ground. Other flight behavior includes Over the past nine decades, 280 new gliding, a type of fast flight, and slope taxa have been added to the California soaring, "subsidized" flight that takes flora, and the rate of discovery is increasadvantage of the upward forces over ing. The newly described species tend to mountain ridges to travel long distances be rare plants. This state is, by any meawith minimal effort. sure, a biodiversity hotspot. Some types of flight behavior are apCalifornia deserts are being industrialparently related to the breeding cycle. ized by solar and wind energy projects at a January to June in North America is rapid pace. These projects tend to be scatbreeding season; July to December is tered, and most are sited on pristine land. post-breeding season. Research suggests Little or nothing is known about the rare that eagles are at a greater risk for faplant species that may exist at these sites. tal collisions with wind turbines during Botanists estimate that some 10% of their local (short-distance) flights during the deserts' flora remains undescribed. breeding season than during their longConcern is growing regarding the transdistance flights during post-breeding fa oundary effects of desert ———industrialization that ex- cc tend beyond the project footprint, including the loss of wildlife corridors, alteration of pollination „ - - . _ _ „. _ _.. — WayneSpencejL— guilds ancT the projects' role as vectors for invasive species. California's desert flora is already season when eagles often travel to higher composed of 7 to 8% non-native species. elevations where food is more plentiful. A non-migratory, territorial populaMeasuring and Understand- tion of golden eagles is being studied by ing the Relationships of Desert scientists in the Mojave Desert near BarEagles to the Environment and stow, CA.

Out of sight — out of mind" is notz conservation strategy.

to Renewable Energy Development presented by Todd Katzner, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV The Mojave Desert is an area of high biodiversity. It is also the site of many renewable-energy development projects. It is critical to develop effective strategies for siting projects and minimizing impacts on wildlife in the Mojave. A case in point is the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and the threat of wind turbines. The golden eagle is a large raptor that is native to North America, Eurasia and northern Africa. It is an open-country species rather than a forest dweller. Eagles display several types of flight. They don't fly in straight lines, but utilize thermals (columns of rising air caused by uneven heating of the earth's surface)

Potential Effects of Renewable Energy Development on Desert Small Mammals presented by Wayne Spencer, Conservation Biology Institute, San Diego, CA Small mammals, as defined by the author, are those non-flying mammals smaller than a few pounds/kilograms in mass. Small mammals that inhabit the Mojave Desert are generally understudied species. Many are limited in their dispersal, occur in small populations, and are specialized in a variety of way,?. Several species of small mammals, including ground squirrels, pocket mice and voles, are endemic to areas in which both solar- and wind-energy development is occurring or is planned. Tortuga Gazette

Of these species, some are already listed as threatened under state or federal Endangered Species Acts. These include the Mohave ground squirrel (Spermophilus \Xerospermophilus] mohavensis) and three species of rare pocket mice (Perognanthus species). Two rare subspecies of voles (Microtus species) that live in small, isolated, poorly documented populations are also at risk. Out of sight â&#x20AC;&#x201D; out of mind is not a conservation strategy. Rare mammal taxa and their habitats should be given consideration during the planning and implementation of renewable energy development projects.

It's Not Easy Being Green presented by Steve Ishll, VMS!, Inc., La Palma, CA California taxpayers and ratepayers are investing millions of dollars in largescale renewable energy projects. Tens of thousands of acres of public land are being utilized for these projects. So far, federal, state and local governments have spent huge sums of money (in the billions of dollars) on subsidies for the ^echnx3fe|0nresear^^ projects themselves. This is only the beginning of the expenditures to come. The US House of Representatives is continuing to investigate the failures of the Solyndra, Abound Solar and Beacon Power companies. These bankruptcies have cost hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars. Renewable energy can be described as a suppliers' marketplace. The cost per kilowatt hour of these energy sources is approximately double the cost of any other energy source.

Improving Solar Energy Permitting for Desert Tortoises: an Environmental NGO Perspective presented by Stephanie Dashtell, Defenders of Wildlife, Sacramento, CA In 2009 the Bureau of Land Management began to process applications for right-of-way legal rights on public land filed by solar-energy developers. Defenders of Wildlife (DoW) has examined the conservation issues related to the California Desert raised by these projects. Tortuga Gazette

After researching environmental reviews and biological opinions by the US Fish & Wildlife Service regarding seven approved solar projects, DoW has estimated that, when completed, these projects will have significant repercussions for the desert tortoise and its habitat. The projects already approved will result in the "take" l of 1,317 individual tortoises and will significantly impact 20,00 acres of desert tortoise habitat. Applications have been filed for an additional 20 projects that will impact some 110,000 acres of desert tortoise habitat and an unknown number of individual tortoises.

Health and Disease Management Issues

1 J

Transmission of Mycoplasmal URTD in Gopherus agassizii presented by C Richard Tracy, University of Nevada Reno A three-year study was conducted at the Desert Tortoise Conservation Center (DTCC) in Clark County, Nevada to assess the transmissibility of Mycoplasma DTCC. M. agassizii is the organism that causes the disease complex Upper Respiratory Tract Disease (URTD). The research team found that the appearance of URTD does not require exposure to a serpositive (i.e., MycoplasTM-positive) tortoise, but exposure to an animal that is seropositive does increase the probability of the development of clinical signs of URTD. Clinical signs of disease are most obvious in spring as tortoises emerge from brumation when the weather is relatively cool. Tortoises may appear to "recover" in the hotter months of the year. The research team's findings indicate that Mycoplasma is naturally present in some wild tortoises, but infections don't 1 The definition of "take" includes to harass, harm, hunt, shoot, wound, kill, trap, capture, or collect, or attempt to engage in any such conduct. A notable component of this definition is the definition of "harm." "Harm" in the definition of "take" means an act that actually kills or injures protected wildlife. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Endangered Species A ct of 1973

occur unless the animals are stressed by physiological factors. Tortoises may be able to fight off pathogens through thermoregulation.

Bilateral Symblepharon and coplasma testudineum in a Wild Desert Tortoise presented by Elliot Jacobson, University of Florida, Gainesville An immature desert tortoise from the Desert Tortoise Research Natural Area in Kern County, CA with eye lesions was submitted to the University of Florida for evaluation. The eye lesions were diagnosed as bilateral symblepharon, a partial or complete adhesion of the eyelid conjunctiva to the eyeball conjunctiva. This condition can be caused by autoimmune disease, environmental stress, and other factors. The tortoise developed a nasal discharge and tested positive for the pathogen Mycoplasma testudineum in both nasal passages. It was euthanized and necropsied. Various sophisticated tests were performed to determine the cause of observed tissue abnormalities.

and, Vehicular- Trauma in Gopher Tortoises (Gopheruspolyphemus) Admitted to the University of Florida presented by Darryl J. Heard, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida Gainesville 227 injured gopher tortoises (Gopherus polyphemus) were brought to the Small Animal Hospital, University of Florida between 1998 and 2006. The two main causes of the tortoises' injuries were dog predation (43%) and vehicular trauma (32%). Most of the injuries occurred in spring and fall, die seasons of greatest activity in the tortoises. Predation by domestic dogs causes penetrating wounds, crushing injuries, and scratch marks caused by the dogs' teeth. Poor blood supply in the tortoise's front legs often leads to tissue necrosis (tissue death). A healthy tortoise will "wall off" dead bone, shedding it and regenerating new bone. Urbanization is seen as the major contributing factor to both dog predation and vehicular trauma in Florida and in other areas where development is occurring. Volume 49, Number 4

Mike's Turtle Net Picks by mad j. connorf /M A varied selection of recent articles, stones and sites on the Web that some of you may find as Interesting as I did. Jhellstlspostedatwww.tortoise.org/turtknetpkksMmlforyour Turtle Conservationist Murdered on Costa Rica Beach Dreadful news thatJalro Mora Sandoval was killed while patrolling a sea turtle nesting beach, http://tinyurl.com/protectorkilled

Leatherbacks In Moon Jelly Heaven Beautiful video of foraging leatherbacks. http://tinyurl.com/jellyfishdinner

USFWS to Pay for Captive Desert Tortoise DropOff in Nevada

Marathon's Turtle Hospital successfully treats a young loggerhead that ingested plastic debris.

The Feds will pay $40,267 to a Nevada shelter for what CTTC does for free in California...

http://tinyurI.com/NVtortoiseadoption Why Turtles Need Shells... Dramatic shots of a cooter's dalliance with an alligator. http://tinyurl.com/cooterpower ... And Science Shows How They Got Them • New fossil evidence revives Eunotosaurus theory.

http://tinyurl.com/fossilshell http://tinyurl.com/turtlegenomes Hawaii's Green Turtle Population Still Short of Recovery Calls to lift protections for Hawaiian green sea turtles may be premature.

~™

Kemp's Ridley Hatchling Habitat Identified Unfortunately, Kemp's Rldleys forage In dangerous places. http://tinyurl.com/gulfdanger Discriminating the Health of Confiscated and Wild Tortoises in Southern Africa: Univariate and Multivariate Analysis of Body Condition and Haematology presented by Brian Henen, University of Western Cape, South Africa Health, assessments conducted on 54 tortoises that were confiscated from poachers included physical examinations and blood work (haematology). Evaluation of the smuggled Angulate (Chersina angulata), Geometric (Psammobates geometricus), and Padloper (Homopus species) tortoises confirmed that the health of the confiscated animals was compromised when compared to their counterparts in the wild. The results of the scientists' assessments of the confiscated tortoises led to the rapid conviction of the smugglers. July \August 2013

http://tinyurl.com/metamucilturtle

Cen-Val: July and August - NO meetings (school is closed) Chino Valley: July 19; August 16 Foothill: July 26; August 23 High Desert: May 13, June 10 Inland Empire:]\Ay 5; August 2 Kern County:July 12; August 9 Low Desert: August 5

Google Does Galapagos

Orange County: July 12; August 9

Google has extended its Street View to the Galapagos archipelago.

Ridgecrest: July 8; August 12

http://tinyurl.com/mappinggalapagos Aldabra Tortoise Named After centuries of disagreement, ICZN rules that the Aldabra tortoise is glgantea...

http://tinyurl.com/gigantea

• New genetic data on turtle origins.

http:7/trnySrI.cbm/greensatrisk

Plastic-impacted Turtle Cleared With Metamucil!

and Programs

Cyber-Turtles Engineers tackle turtles. • "Flipperbot"aids in understanding hatchling locomotion, http://tinyurl.com/flipperbot • Cyburg turtle. Do not try this at home! ,c_-_ -http://tinyurl.com/cyburgslider—

Santa Barbara-Ventura: Contact the chapter for meeting information. Silicon Valley: July 19; August 16 TooSio (San Luis Ob/spoJ: July 10; August 14 TTCS (Long Beach): July 19 - Annual Luau; August 16 Valley: July 19; August 16 Executive Board:July 13. Meetings arejield at the Los Angeles^ County__ Arboretum in Arcadia, CA.

CTTCOnFacebook For breaking news updates, visit and "like" us on Facebook! http://tinyurl.com/fbcttc

Translocation, Augmentation, and Head-starting of Desert Tortoises

Check your Chapter web site for the latest program information. <www.tortoise.org> has links to all CTTC chapters' web sites. Programs may be scheduled after the newsletter is published.

Find CTTC on Facebook A Comprehensive Disease Risk Analysis for Mojave Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) Translocations presented by Bruce Rideout, San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Desert tortoise translocation projects are motivated by two particular situations: development of desert tortoise habitat for renewable-energy projects, and efforts to augment depleted populations. Evaluating the risk of disease is essential to the goal of maintaining healthy wild populations.

2073 Show Schedule August 10: Inland Empire Chapter Annual Show at Redlands Senior Citizen Center, 111 W. Lugonia Ave., Redlands, CA. 10 AM - 3 PM. o o August 18: Orange County Chapter Annual Show at La Habra Community Center, 101 "W. La Habra Blvd., La Habra, CA. 10 AM - 3 PM.

Tortuga Gazette

Known disease agents in tortoises laclu.de Afycoplasma agassizii, M. testudineum, Pasturella, Salmonella, and tortoise Herpes virus, among others. Fifteen disease agents or classes of agents are identified as posing some degree of risk to tortoises, ranging from very low to very high to variable risks. A multidisciplinary approach to evaluating disease risk is beneficial to conservation management decisions. Shy Versus Bold: Can Desert Tortoise Personalities Predict Movement Patterns during Translocation Events? presented by Donna Hinderle, Senna Biological, San Diego, CA The desert tortoise is a long-lived, federally-protected species that is increasingly translocated as a management strategy Animals generally exhibit behavioral syndromes (personalities), and display consistent responses over time. In desert tortoises, bold individuals display aggressive and curious traits, while shy individuals are more cautious and withdrawn. - --=="Thi^^may-- have 4mplieati0n-s-- fÂŠrlongevity of translocated animals. A study conducted with desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizzz), 60 captive juveniles and 100 wild adults, utilized seven different tests for curiosity and boldness. Researchers found that boldness may not be advantageous, often placing the bold individual in harm's way. Shyness may predict longevity, as caution has survival value. Bold and shy tortoises use their habitat differently These personality traits will likely affect the tortoises' patterns of movement as well as the possible spread of disease. Bold individuals tend to have larger ranges, while shy individuals are more retiring and stay closer to their sheltering burrow. Release Site Habitat Affects Post-translocation Movement: A Closer Look at the Microclimate of Chosen Shelter Sites presented by Jennifer Germano, InstituteforConservation Research, San Diego Zoo, San Diego, CA Trajislocadon. can be defined as a human-mediated movement of living Tortuga Gazette

organisms from one area to release in another area. Recent desert-tortoise translo cation projects have come about in response to the expansion of Department of Defense military bases, the installation of solarenergy facilities, and as part of the Mojave Desert recovery plan to augment depleted populations. Tortoises residing in a habitat for more than a season have a relatively tight home range. Recently translocated tortoises may range a considerable distance from the translocation site. Washes with caliche caves offer suitable shelter sites with thermal and humidity properties that protect tortoises. Caliche burrows are longer than soil burrows, and do not cave in the way soil burrows can. Population Augmentation of the Mojave Desert Tortoise: Using Translocation Strategically presented byKimberleigh Field, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Reno, NV Population augmentation, intended to hasten the recovery of decimated populations, is an experimental approach to

augmentation in the revised recovery plan for the Mojave desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). One is the translocation of adult tortoises, the traditional method of replenishing a depleted tortoise population; the other is the head-starting of young tortoises prior to their release into the wild, a non-traditional approach. The value of head-starting desert tortoises for population augmentation remains controversial. It is a long-term project that is both management intensive and expensive. These are facts that limit the usefulness of head-starting in the context of population augmentation. Desert Tortoise Head-starting Project in Mojave National Preserve: An Update presented'by Kurt Buhlmann, Savannah River Ecology Lab, Aiken,SC In 2011, researchers at the Mojave National Preserve (MNP) began a long-term study focusing on head-starting desert tortoises as a means of increasing the survival of juvenile tortoises, and increasing recruitment and the number of tortoises residing in the MNP. to

must be done in such a way as to minimize risks, and with the understanding of the important threats involved. The translocation site must offer appropriate foraging and shelter sites. Washes with caliche caves are easily mapped, and provide shelter from extreme heat and predators. Recent translocation studies demonstrate that desert tortoises released directly into washes stay considerably closer to the actual release site than those released on flatlands. What is the Role of Head-starting in the Mojave Desert Tortoise Recovery Program? Christine Mullen, US Fish & Wildlife Service, Palm Springs, CA Head-starting is defined as the captive rearing of young animals until they can be released in a natural setting, i.e., the wild. This is done to allow the animals to reach a particular size, 3.9-4.3 inches (100-110 millimeters) in carapace length, before release, so they are less vulnerable to habitat threats such as predators. There are two strategies for population

clining population begins with collecting gravid female tortoises and incubating their eggs after they nest. The hatchlings are then given one of three experimental treatments: either "direct-release" into the wild shortly after hatching, or "lowrain-supplemented" with a modicum of supplemental watering, or "high-rainsupplemented" with relatively abundant supplemental watering. The last two treatments are given while the hatchlings remain in enclosures, foraging on native plant materials. Early results from the MNP indicate that the "high-rain-supplemented" animals grow more rapidly than the other two groups. The temporary captives are released into the wild at the MNP after reaching a carapace length of 4.3 inches (110 millimeters), the size at which they become somewhat predator-resistant. * The 39th Annual Desert Tortoise Council Symposium will take place February 21-23,2014 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario, 222 North Vineyard Avenue, Ontario, CA 91764 Volume 49, Number 4

CTTC Adoptions: 2012 Year-end Summary by SpeciesT — compiled by Diana Gatti, CTTC Cen-Val Chapter

Incoming

Species Total

Male

Actinemys marmomta, Western Pond Turtle

Apalone species, Softshell Turtle

Placed2

Died

Unknown 3

Female 1

Chelydm serpentina, Common Snapping Turtle

Chinemys reevesii, Reeves Turtle

Chrysemys picta, Painted Turtle

Cuora species, Asian Box Turtle

Geochelone carbonaria, Red-footed Tortoise

Geochelone denticulata, Yellow-footed Tortoise

Geochelone sulcata, African Spurred Tortoise

Glyptemys insculpta, Wood Turtle

14 1

Gopherus agassizii, Desert Tortoise

789

405

149

235

364

Gopherus berlandieri, Texas Tortoise

Graptemys species, Map Turtle

Kinosternon species, Mud Turtle

Malademys terrapin, Diamondback Terrapin

Pseudemys condnna, Cooter

Jje^ffifffle&M/rFlorida^Red-belly Turtle- —

•—-H-

1 1

2 z _._=__ — ^-—5— -----~ —— 1-^-— -

3 ----- -1

E —

Pseudemys scriptascripta, Yellow-bellied Slider

Stigmochelys pardalls, Leopard Tortoise

196

101

118

Terrapene species, U.S. Box Turtle Testudo graeca, Mediterranean Spur-thighed Tortoise

Testudo hermanni, Hermann's Tortoise

—

Testudo horsfieldii, Russian Tortoise

1,056

231

246

579

559

2,343

877

498

971

1,284

141

Tmchemys scripta, Slider Turtle

Totals for 201 2 (Q1-Q4)

1 This chart is a "snapshot/7 summarizing the turtle and tortoise adoptions that were reported by CTTC Chapters as of December 2012. 2 "Placed" animals have been adopted, or transferred to another CTTC Chapter, or to an agency such as the United States Geological Survey. 3 "Unknown" animals include hatchlings, juveniles, and other individuals of unknown gender.

It is what we think we know that keeps us from learning. — Chester I. Barnard (1886-1961) American business executive

July \August 2013

"... the current position of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife is that it is illegal to breed captive [desert] tortoises/7 - www.deserttortoise.org/ answeringquestions/ chapter2-2.html "CTTC will not place desert tortoises (Gopherus agassizii) in situations where captive breeding may occur. CTTC works with California Department offish and Wildlife (CDFW) to place desert tortoises. Both CDFW and CTTC discourage the captive breeding of desert tortoises/' - tortoise.org/cttc/adoption.html Tortuga Gazette

GET THE BEST I DIGITAL EGG INCUBATOR!

Turtle Dock™ Unique Floating Aquarium Dock For All Types of Aquatic Animals

Tui tleTub® keep Aquatic Turtles the Way Professionals Do!

Reptibator® Digital Egg Incubator

TurtleClean™ External Canister Filter For Aquatic Turtles

c ZOO MED lABORATORlES, ING*N 2. 36507Sacramento Dr. •I :,Sari Luis Obispo, CA 93401 ; cPhone;j805-542-9988

Tortuga Gazette

Volume 49, Number 4

ffl Classified Advertisements

A Non-Profit Organization is having their

Annual Turtle & Tortoise Show Saturday, August 1O? 2O13 10:00 am-3:00 pm

Admission: FREE *Live Exhibits * Adoption Information • Educational Displays *Fund Raising Table * Raffle * Baked Goods & Soft Drinks Redlands Senior Citizen Center 111 W. Lugonia Ave., Redlands COME JOIN THE EUN!

Advertisements run for one issue at $5°°for four lines or less, $30°° for 1A page, and are accepted at the discretion of the Editor. Ads are available to members and subscribers only. Advertisements are run as a service to our members. California Turde & Tortoise Club is not responsible for merchandise placed for sale in the Tortuga. Gazette. Please send ad fee to: CTTC Tortuga Gazette, attn Treasurer, P. O. Box 7300, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7300. Mail fee with ad copy to the Tortuga Gazette mailing address; OR mail fee to the Gazette postal address above, and email ad copy to editor@tortoise. org For Sale: Greek Tortoise hatchlings $50°° each. Contact Lionel and Kathy Thomas at (661) 205-7436. If unavailable, please leave a message.

The California Turde & Tortoise Club is a non-profit 501 (c) (3) corporation. Contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Please pay by USA funds only (US bank check, money order, or International Postal Order. Your Chapter and renewal date (month/year) are printed on your address label. Mail your new or renewal membership/ subscription to the Chapter of your choice. Annual membership in the California Turde & Tortoise Club and subscriptions to the cTortuga Qazette are handled through the CTTC Chapters. Members are free to join any Chapter. Many members in California choose \e County Turtle and Tortoise Showa nearby Chapter to participate in Chapter meetings and other acto join tivities. Print membership forms from the CTTC website <tortoise.org> and mail to the Chapter of your choice.

For show information: 909-887-7497 or www.tortoise.org

ees _____ ___ -_ Individual/family . . . $25°° + Canada/Mexico... $25 °° + Foreign . . . $40°° + Life membership . . .$500°°

Sunday, August 18th 10am-3pm

Chapter Mailing Addresses Cea-Val: P.O.Box 16418, Fresno, CA 93755-6418

Come check out the three largest tortofse species In theworld. The Aldabxat, Galapagos m& SuJata tortoise will be Just Ihrcc of ihc many, many turtles and toitoiscs avalhble for viewing. Box turtles, Russian tortoise*, Red Foots, Leopards, and more...

Come see,.

California Turtlefe IT* , «vv

Tortoise

KIPS AREA

Foothill: P.O.Box 51002, Pasadena, CA 91115-1002 Information

ADMISSIONS • Senior* $2 • Chn<irenxipt • PirfdnyFREE

High Desert: P.O.Box 163, Victorville, CA 92393

Club Information

Inland Empire: P.O.Box 2371, San Bernardino, CA 92406

Adoption Inforomfon

Kern County: P.O.Box 81722, Bakersfield, CA 93380-1722

Houilnglnfo

Education Preservation

Chino Valley: P.O.Box 1753, Chino, CA 91708-1753

Low Desert: P.O.Box 4156, Palm Desert, CA 92261 Orange County: P.O.Box 11124, Santa Ana, CA 92711 Ridgecrest: 600 Weiman Ave., Ridgecrest, CA 93555 Santa Barbara-Ventura: P.O.Box 3086, Camarillo, CA 93011 Silicon Valley: P.O.Box 64135, Sunnyvale, CA 94088 TooSLO: P.O.Box 14222, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406

la Habra Community Center

TTCS (Long Beach): P.O.Box 15965, Long Beach, CA 90815 Valley: P.O.Box 7364, Van Nuys, CA 91409

Corner of U Habra and Eucfid A July\August 2013

CTTC Executive Board: P.O.Box 7300, Van Nuys, CA 91409

Tortuga Gazette

~*, omia

Turtle If Tortoise

California Turtle & Tortoise Club Executive Board Post Office Box 7300 Van Nuys, CA 91409-7300

Non-profit Org. U. S. Postage PAID Van Nuys, CA Permit No. 877

CTTC Online <tortoise.org> Find CTTC on Facebook

Address Service Requested

CTTCEB EXCH MINNESOTA HERP SOCIETY BELL MUSEUM OF NAT HIST 10 CHURCH STNE MINNEAPOLIS MN 55455

Moving? Please send us your change of address. tgdistribution@tortoise.org

the Tortuga Gazette July | August 2013 Volume 49, Number 4 Turtle of the Month: Bolson Tortoise (Qopherus fldvomarginatus)

In this issue: + CTTC Adoptions: 2012 Year-end Sumniaiy by Species + Desert Tortoise Council 2013 Symposium Presentations: Day 2 Gopherusflavomarginatus,t\\e Bolson or Yellow-margined tortoise, photographed in Mexico. ffijjgtoqraph ÂŠ 2008 by Mbtrap. Source: Creative Commons.