The Reproductive Biology of the Chelonia

Download or read book The Reproductive Biology of the Chelonia written by Gerald Kuchling and published by Springer. This book was released on 1999 with total page 248 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This book presents a comparative view of chelonian reproduction and discusses ecophysiological implications for their captive breeding. Chelonians, with their protective rigid armour, are a phylogenetically antique group of reptiles which radiated to occupy niches from the open waters of the oceans, to rivers, creeks, swamps, forests, savannahs, and deserts. A few North American turtle species have been well studied, but until recently reproductive data on other chelonian species have been scarce. The way in which chelonians adjust their conservative mode of reproduction to the various requirements of their habitats and life styles is the theme of this book; the physiology of reproduction and its interplay with ecological conditions are its central subjects.