Testudo graeca - European Studbook Foundation

Studbook breeding programme
Testudo graeca
(Spur thighed tortoise)
Photo by: Lutz Geiszler
Annual report 2008
Henk Zwartepoorte species coordinator and studbook keeper
Peter Bulsing co studbook keeper
KvK nr. 41136106
www.studbooks.eu

Contents:
1. Introduction and activities between 2007 and 2008.
2. Studbook population
3. Locations
4. Births
5. Imports
6. Deaths
7. Transfers
8. Discussion
1. Introduction and activities 2007 - 2008.
The frequency of annual studbook reports became a little out of balance during
the last few years. Several reasons and causes can be assessed for this. The
studbook population established during the last five years became pretty stable.
The number of deaths decreased and there were not many births reported. This
last topic is partly caused by the advice from the studbook keeper not to
reproduce with haplotype no. 1. Further reason is the very low process of DNA
research of the confiscated specimens in the Netherlands held at the rescue
centre for a number of years; several animals stay at the centre for almost 4
years now. Additional reason to this was the fact that the DNA research was
stopped by the AMC in Amsterdam and taken over by the University of Ghent
in Belgium. Methods and procedures used by the AMC had to be used in Ghent
as well and this took several months. For a number of years no annual studbook
reports were issued for this species.
After a thorough clean up in the first half of 2007 in which a number of
studbook participants who were not communicating with and not reporting to
the studbook keeper and/or not having tortoises anymore, a more stable
studbook participants group is established now. However still a number of
participants will unfortunately be removed from the studbook during 2009.
At present the studbook counts 43 participants in 5 European countries: The
Netherlands (28), United Kingdom (2),Finland (1), Spain (1), Belgium (3),
Germany (1).
During the existence of the studbook 4 zoos were involved in the studbook,
however, only Rotterdam Zoo is actively participating by transferring animals to
ESF participants. The zoos of Amersfoort, Emmen and Jersey offered specimens
to the studbook either as participant or just by donating specimens directly to
private studbook participants. Very welcome to see that over the last few years
these 3 zoos are playing a much more active role in this.
Studbook population:
At present at December 31, 2008 the living population counts 57.71.47(175)
specimens, meaning an increase of studbook specimens of 24. The total

studbook population including all reported specimens between 1997 and 2008
counts 125.120.122 (367) specimens. In the 2006-2007 report explanation of
these figures including births, deaths and lost to follow up were explained.
Priority aim for 2007 and 2008 was the accurate update of all studbook
participants and specimens.
With this respect the first steps were taken and the studbook population looks
more healthy now in a sense of stable collections with more and more good
communicating participants.
Between 1997 and 2007 it became more and more clear that the North African
“subspecies” Testudo graeca graeca was not a clear subspecies based on the
whole Northern African population. Earlier, the subspecies Testudo graeca
ibera was classified by a number of taxonomists as a separate species Testudo
ibera. During the last 10 years on a significant number of studbook specimens a
DNA research was carried out. All participants voluntarily financed this
research which was carried out by the AMC faculty in Amsterdam by ms. Tonja
van der Kuyl (Van der Kuyl, 2000).
During 2008 the University of Ghent in Belgium was asked to proceed this
research in particular important with respect to proper homing of the confiscated
tortoises in the Netherlands. Prof. Dr. Frank Pasmans responded positively to
this request and he and his team did their very best to test several dozens of
samples of confiscated Testudo graeca.
March 2009 the studbook received the first results making it possible to compare
these results with the morphological identification and transfer these animals to
ESF studbook participants in the course of 2009. The ESF board as well as the
Testudo graeca studbook are Prof. Dr. Frank Pasmans and his team extremely
grateful for the cooperation.
The taxonomy of Testudo graeca, in the Northern African region as well as the
Middle East and western Asia is still under discussion. As communicated earlier
elsewhere the ESF Testudo graeca studbook now focuses only on the North
African population.
Currently within the wild population in Morocco, Algeria, and Libya 4
subspecies are described by Pieh and Perala:
Testudo graeca cyrenaica (Pieh and Perala, 2002),
Testudo graeca soussensis (Pieh, 2000),
Testudo graeca lamberti (Pieh and Perala, 2004),
Testudo graeca marrokensis (Pieh and Perala, 2004).
From Tunesia by Highfield Testudo nabeulensis is described (Highfield, 1990).
The validity of this newly described species was not internationally accepted
and still is not, although in 2002 Pieh and Perala consider the species
nabeulensis as a subspecies of T. graeca.
The originally described subspecies T.g.graeca still is valid for a specific type in
Morocco; the number of subspecies is now 6.

Furthermore the types Testudo whitei BENNETT, 1836 and Testudo
flavominimaralis HIGHFIELD & Martin, 1989 are still discussed and by some
people considered as a valid species or subspecies. Pieh and Perala however
consider these taxa as nomina dubia.
Over the last few years all studbook participants were asked to send photo’s of
their animals. From these photos collected a large number of specimens with an
emphasis on head shape, colour and shape of both carapace and plastron and
scute formations on both front and backside of the front legs a significant
number could be determined. And they now partly correlate with the recent
received DNA results. Bulsing already earlier started to make line drawings of
these scute formations which is published Bulsing and Zwartepoorte in Trionyx
(2007).
3. Locations:
At present 43 participants at 5 European countries are registered. The majority
originating from The Netherlands (28), furthermore there are participants in
Belgium (3), Finland (2), United Kingdom (2), Germany (1) Spain (1).
As stated earlier in previous annual reports still a number of studbook
participants do not report mutations within their collection and/or do no report
deaths and births.
With respect to the privacy factor it was the intention to change all collection
names into a codename. This turned out to be a tremendous job and turned out to
be not feasible during 2008. The participants however received a codename. In
the Sparks report 2009 to be issued in 2010 all current location names will be
changed into numbers. These numbers will only be known within the studbook
and by the studbook keeper. If participants also prefer to remain unknown
within the studbook they have to report this to the studbook keeper.
4. Births:
In 2008 only one birth is reported.
5. Imports:
Deliberate imports of wild caught animals are not reported to the studbook.
The Sparks software programme however considers new entries into the
studbook as imports and as such these imports will be reported and discussed
here.
By an animal rescue organisation in Numansdorp, the Netherlands two
abandoned animals were deposited into the collection of a studbook participant.
These animals will be legalized, will become ESF property and placed out on
loan on the recipients/participants location.
At the studbook keepers location two abandoned animals were brought in. The
animals will be DNA tested and a new location will be sought and legalized and
as such become ESF-property.

In the UK one participant received one new animal.
6. Deaths:
During 2007 1.0.1 (2) deaths were reported; during 2008 these numbers were
1.0.5 (6).
These 2007 and 2008 deaths mostly concerned confiscated specimens.
In general the cause of death is very unclear. No autopsy reports were received
by the studbook.
For the confiscated dead tortoises there might be a suspected reason. Between
moment of capture, mainly occurring in North African countries such as
Morocco and Tunisia and the moment of arrival at the studbook participants
collections lies often a long period.
The time between collecting from the wild and the arrival at Dutch airports or
borders is unknown but one can assume that this will often take weeks or
months. Directly after confiscation the animals go to a holding/rescue centre in
The Netherlands where they remain until a court verdict has been made.
If the verdict says that the animals are free and thus available for further transfer
to ESF, the IBG bureau offers the animals to the studbook. The studbook keeper
looks for interested and suitable locations. For this purpose we have to know:
the sex, size, species or subspecies and DNA haplotype.
Before this information is obtained, quite often many months will go by and in
the meantime we know that this period is sometimes up to 4 years. This is a very
undesirable and unwanted situation. At the rescue/holding centre the animals are
housed under non-optimal conditions; something the rescue centre can not be
blamed for.
Furthermore several long lasting bureaucratic procedures by both the IBG and
CITES authorities and the rescue/holding centre is cause for further delay.
An adjusted protocol is recently proposed to the responsible Dutch IBG
authority by the ESF board to shorten this holding period in The Netherlands.
During 2008 this proposed protocol was agreed on by the IBG bureau and from
this side a significant progress can be seen. Still the juridical procedures takes
far too long.
The cause of death of a significant number of confiscated animals is not always
clear, but what we do see in the dead animals is that post mortem is impossible
in a large number of cases because of the autolytic state.
This situation makes it very difficult to assess a cause of death.
To improve this during 2008 an independent vet is approached to carry out
autopsies. Also the veterinary faculty in Utrecht is found to be prepared to do
the same.
A protocol will be communicated on a wider ESF-level to all studbook
participants and studbook keepers during 2009 how to act in case of dead
animals.

7. Transfers:
Within the studbook 5 animals has been transferred. It concerned all confiscated
specimens; one participant received 4 confiscated ESF animals and one new
participant received a long term ESF animal already at one of the ESF-board
members collection for several years.
8. Discussion:
Major aim for this year is an increased assessment of the different DNA -
haplotypes. Perhaps further development on the taxonomy regarding assessment
of subspecies within the Northern African region re-dividing of the studbook
population into subspecies will be possible and necessary. See for this the article
by Fritz et al (2009).
During 2008 all Testudo studbook participants are informed by several email
report messages.
Another important aim to establish an on-line photo gallery of the existing
subspecies and/or DNA- haplotypes in the wild is not finished yet. A second
photo collection will be compiled by the studbook keeper of the present
studbook specimens. A large number of photos is already digitally sent to the
studbook. Those participants who did not so far will be reminded soon in spring
2009.
Photos of head, plastron, carapace and scutes on front- and backside of the front
legs are required.
Those current studbook tortoises not yet DNA tested so far have to done as soon
as possible. The participants will be reminded soon in spring 2009.
Costs are now assessed at €50 per sample. Co operation will be voluntarily but
a contribution into the costs will be asked. A genetically healthy studbook
population is desperately needed acquiring an ex situ assurance population from
which future re-introduction into the wild can be carried out. This of course
under strict IUCN guidelines regarding this and after thorough health checks and
quarantine periods.
Reproduction of Testudo graeca has proved to be very possible and even led to a
situation that a non-breeding advise had to be given in 2000. Finding new
participants turned out to be impossible and yet at present not an easy task.
With the situation now that half of the captive born numbers died (4) or had to
be considered as “lost to follow up” (23) meaning that they simply disappeared
from the studbook, breeding of at least a number of the DNA- haplotypes is
necessary again. An advise accompanied by a motivation will be published and
communicated to the participants this year.
Aim is to enlarge the number of participants to 50 with an estimated studbook
population between 300 and 400 specimens. The different subspecies and DNAhaplotypes
will be taken into account regarding this.
Very undesirable and illegal are the ongoing imports of North African tortoises
from in particular Marocco. This situation is presented by me at the

TRAFFIC/EU Twix workshop on illegal trade of reptiles in Tarvisio/Italy in
February 2009 and at the EAZA Reptile Taxon Advisory Group in
Ljubljana/Slovenia in April this year.
Cooperation and participation with EAZA institutions (European Zoos) is vital
and highly demanded.
Current participation with zoos is highly appreciated. Both EAZA and ESF are
supposed to participate as equal Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) partners
building the Turtle Arch.
A viable ex situ population of this very attractive species must belong to the
possibilities and the studbook keepers call upon you as studbook participants to
achieve this goal.
Further reading:
Bulsing P. (2000): De Noord Afrikaanse moorse landschildpad (Testudo g.
graeca) toch een probleemloze schildpad. Special ter gelegenheid van het 125-
jarig bestaan van de Nederlandse Schildpadden Vereniging: 27-31.
Bulsing P. en H.A. Zwartepoorte (2007): Herkenning van enkele types van
Testudo graeca uit Marocco, Algerije en Tunesie: Trionyx ().
Ballasina D.L.Ph., A.C. van der Kuyl, J.T. Dekker, J. Maas, R.E. Willemsen en
J. Goudsmit (2001):
Phylogenetic relationships among the species of the genus Testudo (Testudines:
Testudinidae) inferred from mitochondrial 12S rRNA Gene sequences, Congres
International Sur le genre Testudo –
7 au 10 mars 2001 Hyeres – France / Actes du Congres.
Fritz U, D.James Harris, Soumia Fahd, Rachid Rouag, Eva Gracia Martinez,
Andres Gimenez Casalduero, Pavel Siroky, Mohsen Kalboussi, Tareek B.
Jdeidi, Anna K. Hundsdorfer (2009) :
Amphibia-Reptilia 30 (2009) : 63 :80.
Harris D.J., M. Znari, J.C. Mace, M.A. Carretero (2003) : Genetic variation in
Testudo graeca from Morocco estimated using 12S rRNA DNA sequensing.
Revista Espagnola de Herpetologia, 17: 15-9.
Highfield, A.C. & Martin J. (1989): Description of a miniature tortoise Testudo
flavominimaralis n. species from North Africa. The Tortoise Trust, London; 4 S.
Pieh A. (2002): Testudo graeca soussensis, eine neue Unterart der Maurischen
Landschildkrote aus dem Sousstal (Sudwest-Marokko). Salamandra 36(4) : 209-
222.
Pieh A., J. Perala (2004) : Variabilitat de Maurischen Landschildkroten (Testudo
graeca – LINNEUS, 1758 – Komplex) im Zentralen und nordwestlichen
Marokko mit Beschreibung zwei neuer Taxa. Herpetozoa 17 (1/2): 19-47.
Fritz U., A.K. Hundsdorfer, P. Siroky, M. Auer, H. Kami, J. Lehmann, L.F.
Mazanaeva, O. Turkozan, M. Wink (2007): Phenotypic plasticity leads to
incongruence between morphology-based taxonomy and genetic differentiation

in western Palaearctic tortoises (Testudo graeca complex; Testudines,
Testudinidae). Amphibia-Reptilia 28 (2007): 97-121
Hufer H. & Buddenfeld V. (2000): Haltung und Zucht der Tunesischen
Landschildkrote. Radiata, Rheinbach; 9 (20): 3-14.
Pieh A. & Jarmo Perala (2002): Variabilitat von Testudo graeca LINNAEUS,
1758 im ostlichen Nordafrika mit Beschreibung eines neuen Taxons von der
Cyrenaika (Nordostlibyen). Herpetozoa 15 (1/2): 3-28.
Zwartepoorte H.A. (2000): Project DNA-typering moorse landschildpad
(Testudo graeca). Special ter gelegenheid van het 125-jarig bestaan van de
Nederlandse Schildpadden Vereniging: 24-26.
May 2009.
Henk Zwartepoorte, studbook coordinator and studbook keeper.
Peter Bulsing, co-studbook keeper.