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Cover image of Biology and Conservation of North American Tortoises
Cover image of Biology and Conservation of North American Tortoises
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Biology and Conservation of North American Tortoises

edited by David C. Rostal, Earl D. McCoy, and Henry R. Mushinsky

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The most comprehensive book ever published on North America's native tortoises.

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...

The most comprehensive book ever published on North America's native tortoises.

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
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
Thane Wibbels

Reviews

Reviews

A vital tool and reference base for researchers and conservationists, with the added bonus that there is plenty of informatin that could be applied to other species worldwide.

A valuable resource for public and academic libraries.

... Valuable additions to the collections of herpetologists and conservation biologists... Comprehensive...

About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
8.5
x
11
Pages
208
ISBN
9781421413778
Illustration Description
19 halftones, 30 line drawings
Table of 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

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

Author Bios
Featured Contributor

Earl D. McCoy

Earl D. McCoy is the associate chairman of the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida.
Featured Contributor

Henry R. Mushinsky

Henry R. Mushinsky is a Kosove Graduate Professor and graduate director for the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of South Florida.