Intraspecific variation in digit reduction in Testudo

Phalangeal reduction is a common and widespread phenomenon among tortoises that has been associated with the adaptation to terrestrial life. While reduced manual digit 1 appears characteristic in almost all Testudo species, it is uncertain why the metacarpal I and distal carpal of the same digit are...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Luján, Àngel H.|||0000-0003-1844-0453, Ferrandiz-Rovira, Mariona|||0000-0001-8548-2851, Torres, Cristina, Bertolero, Albert
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2019
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:213094
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/213094
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.1007/s13127-019-00413-3
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Testudo hermanni
Phalange reduction
Ebro Delta
Minorca
Phalangeal formula
Descripción
Sumario:Phalangeal reduction is a common and widespread phenomenon among tortoises that has been associated with the adaptation to terrestrial life. While reduced manual digit 1 appears characteristic in almost all Testudo species, it is uncertain why the metacarpal I and distal carpal of the same digit are completely missing in some individuals of Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni). To clarify this issue, we investigated the number of manual claws in six populations of Hermann's tortoise (one from the Ebro Delta in the Iberian Peninsula and five from Minorca Island), their age, sex, genetic lineage, and the substrate type that they inhabit. The number of claws was ascertained based on direct counts (n.