Biology and Conservation of North American Tortoises

Contents

List of Contributors vii Preface ix 1 Morphology, Taxonomy, and Distribution of North American Tortoises: An Evolutionary Perspective 1 Dennis M. Bramble and J. Howard Hutchison 2 The Fossil Record for North American Tortoises 13 Richard Franz 3 Systematics of Extant North American Tortoises 25 Robert W. Murphy 4 Thermoregulation and Energetics of North American Tortoises 30 James R. Spotila, Thomas A. Radzio, and Michael P. O’Connor 5 Reproductive Physiology of North American Tortoises 37 David C. Rostal 6 Embryonic Development, Hatching Success, and Temperature-Dependent Sex Determination in North American Tortoises 46 David C. Rostal and Thane Wibbels 7 Growth Patterns of North American Tortoises 53 Henry R. Mushinsky 8 Health Issues of North American Tortoises 60 Elliott R. Jacobson 9 Habitat Characteristics of North American Tortoises 77 Kenneth E. Nussear and Tracey D. Tuberville 10 Water and Food Acquisition and Their Consequences for Life History and Metabolism of North American Tortoises 85 Todd C. Esque, K. Kristina Drake, and Kenneth E. Nussear 11 Home Range and Movements of North American Tortoises 96 Joan E. Berish and Philip A. Medica 12 Social Behaviors of North American Tortoises 102 Craig Guyer, Sharon M. Hermann, and Valerie M. Johnson 13 Nesting and Reproductive Output among North American Tortoises 110 Roy C. Averill-Murray, Linda J. Allison, and Lora L. Smith 14 Abundance of North American Tortoises 118 Linda J. Allison and Earl D. McCoy 15 Population and Conservation Genetics of North American Tortoises 127 Taylor Edwards and J. Scott Harrison 16 Demography of North American Tortoises 134 Earl D. McCoy, Gustavo Aguirre L., Richard T. Kazmaier, and C. Richard Tracy 17 History of Human Interaction with North American Tortoises 143 Michael Tuma and Craig B. Stanford 18 Threats and Conservation Needs for North American Tortoises 149 Kristin H. Berry and Matthew J. Aresco References 159 Index 183 Contents This page intentionally left blank ...