What question did this study set out to answer?

To evaluate long-term trends and drivers in the frequency of non-lethal shell injuries within an open population of eastern Hermann’s tortoises across a 14-year monitoring period.

August 16, 2026ZooKeysOpen Access

Long-term variation in frequency of non-lethal shell injuries in a population of eastern Hermann’s tortoise, Testudo hermanni boettgeri

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Authors

DSDragana Stojadinović MNMarko Nikolić JMJelena Mijatović

Discussion

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Overview

Longitudinal ecological monitoring reveals sharp increases in shell damage in eastern Hermann's tortoises, indicating escalating anthropogenic and environmental pressures.

Key Points

To evaluate long-term trends and drivers in the frequency of non-lethal shell injuries within an open population of eastern Hermann’s tortoises across a 14-year monitoring period.
Monitored an open population of Testudo hermanni boettgeri semi-annually (six days in late May, seven days in mid-July) between 2010 and 2024.
Assessed morphometric, behavioral, life-history, and environmental variables, specifically documenting shell condition and identifiable fire marks.
The proportion of tortoises with intact shells declined significantly from 91.4% in 2013 to 3.4% in 2024.
The proportion of tortoises showing wildfire-induced shell marks fluctuated from 0.4% to 81.9% overall, averaging 53.73% during 2022–2024.
Shell injury trends correlated with heightened environmental and human-induced pressures, including intensified local transport, increased wildfire frequency, and potential rises in predator density.

Cite This Study

Stojadinović et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8179dcf2fb91fc834ad437 https://doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e191964

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August 16, 2026ZooKeysOpen Access

Long-term variation in frequency of non-lethal shell injuries in a population of eastern Hermann’s tortoise, Testudo hermanni boettgeri

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

DSDragana Stojadinović MNMarko Nikolić JMJelena Mijatović

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Longitudinal ecological monitoring reveals sharp increases in shell damage in eastern Hermann's tortoises, indicating escalating anthropogenic and environmental pressures.

Key Points

To evaluate long-term trends and drivers in the frequency of non-lethal shell injuries within an open population of eastern Hermann’s tortoises across a 14-year monitoring period.
Monitored an open population of Testudo hermanni boettgeri semi-annually (six days in late May, seven days in mid-July) between 2010 and 2024.
Assessed morphometric, behavioral, life-history, and environmental variables, specifically documenting shell condition and identifiable fire marks.
The proportion of tortoises with intact shells declined significantly from 91.4% in 2013 to 3.4% in 2024.
The proportion of tortoises showing wildfire-induced shell marks fluctuated from 0.4% to 81.9% overall, averaging 53.73% during 2022–2024.
Shell injury trends correlated with heightened environmental and human-induced pressures, including intensified local transport, increased wildfire frequency, and potential rises in predator density.

Cite This Study

Stojadinović et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a8179dcf2fb91fc834ad437 https://doi.org/10.3897/herpetozoa.39.e191964

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