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Full Description
Tortoises, those unmistakable turtles, evolved from a lineage that split off from the familiar pond turtles roughly 100 million years ago. Over time, these plant-eating land turtles spread around the world, growing to an enormous size (depending on the species) and living so long that they have become the stuff of legends. By most accounts, they are indeed the longest-lived of the turtles, with good records suggesting individuals may live as long as 180 years (anecdotal records suggest that some reach ages of 200 years or more). Providing the first comprehensive treatment of North America's tortoises, Biology and Conservation of North American Tortoises brings together leading experts to give an overview of tortoise morphology, taxonomy, systematics, paleontology, physiology, ecology, behavior, reproduction, diet, growth, health, and conservation. The contributors carefully combine their own expertise and observations with results from studies conducted by hundreds of other researchers. The result is a book that belongs in the library of every herpetologist. Contributors include: Gustavo Aguirre; L. Linda; J. Allison Matthew; J. Aresco Roy; C. Averill-Murray; Joan E.
Berish; Kristin H. Berry; Dennis M. Bramble; K. Kristina Drake; Taylor Edwards; Todd C. Esque; Richard Franz; Craig Guyer; J. Scott Harrison; Sharon M. Hermann; J. Howard Hutchison; Elliott R. Jacobson; Valerie M. Johnson; Richard T. Kazmaier; Earl D. McCoy; Philip A. Medica; Robert W. Murphy; Henry R. Mushinsky; Kenneth E. Nussear; Michael P. O'Connor; Thomas A. Radzio; David C. Rostal; Lora L. Smith; James R. Spotila; Craig B. Stanford; C. Richard Tracy; Tracey D. Tuberville; Michael Tuma; and, Thane Wibbels.
Contents
Preface
Chapter 1. Morphology, Taxonomy, and Distribution of North American Tortoises: An Evolutionary Perspective
Chapter 2. The Fossil Record for the North American Tortoises
Chapter 3. Systematics of Extant North American Tortoises
Chapter 4. Thermoregulation and Energetics of North American Tortoises
Chapter 5. Reproductive Physiology of North American Tortoises
Chapter 6. Embryonic Development, Hatching Success, and Temperature Dependent Sex Determination in North American Tortoises
Chapter 7. Growth Patterns of North American Tortoises
Chapter 8. Health Issues of North American Tortoises
Chapter 9. Habitat Characteristics of North American Tortoises
Chapter 10. Water and Food Acquisition and Their Consequences for Life History and Metabolism of North American Tortoises
Chapter 11. Home Range and Movements of North American Tortoises
Chapter 12. Social Behaviors of North American Tortoises
Chapter 13. Nesting and Reproductive Output among North American Tortoises
Chapter 14. Abundance of North American Tortoises
Chapter 15. Population and Conservation Genetics of North American Tortoises
Chapter 16. Demography of North American Tortoises
Chapter 17. History of Human Interaction with North American Tortoises
Chapter 18. Threats and Conservation Needs for North American Tortoises
References
Index
