Article,
Assessing the threatened status of Testudo hermanni boettgeri Mojsisovics, 1889 (Reptilia: Testudines: Testudinidae) population from Romania.
North-Western Journal of Zoology, 6 (2): 190--202 (2010)
Abstract
The Hermann tortoise (Testudo hermanni boettgeri Mojsisovics, 1889) is present in Romania at its range limit. The main range is located in the Southwestern part of the country, in a sub-optimal sub-Mediterranean climate. Testudo hermanni boettgeri is also found in the Southeastern part of the country, the population there being insignificant to be included in our study. The range from Southwestern part of Romania has a surface of similar to 4420 sq km, from which only similar to 672 sq km is favorable to the tortoise. From the range extension point of view, the Hermann tortoise is a subspecies with a restrictive habitat, and the population is strongly declining-a tendency that most likely will continue in the future. This decline is accentuated by the habitat loss. The main threats for the Hermann tortoise are due to housing and urban area encroachment, tourism and recreation areas, annual and perennial non-timber crops, mining and quarrying, energy production and mining, recreational activities, increase in fire frequency/intensity, droughts, temperature extremes, climate change and severe weather. The threatened status established according to IUCN criteria for the regional level under uncertainty have led to framing the species in the endangered EN Blab(i,ii,iii,v) category.
