. Conserving and managing an imperiled species, such as Testudo hermanni , requires information on population status and demographic traits. To acquire this information, we surveyed Hermann's tortoises, Testudo hermanni boettgeri , in European Turkey from April to October 2014–2016. We found 283 (135 males, 102 females, 45 juveniles, and 1 unknown) T. h. boettgeri at 34 locations. Of these sites, 29% included at least 1 individual. We found that females were larger and heavier (mean straight carapace length [SCL] = 175.4 mm, body mass = 1234.1 g) than males (SCL = 153.2 mm, body mass = 849.6 g). The age frequency had a normal Gaussian distribution with 11–15 yrs being the most common. Elevation at capture sites ranged from 22 to 380 m above sea level. Illegal overharvesting for the pet trade appears to have caused no reduction in body size.

We studied nesting site preferences and hatching success of loggerhead ( Caretta caretta ) and green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) on Akyatan Beach, Turkey. The distribution of nests varied annually, with green turtles nesting most often in vegetated areas and loggerhead turtles most commonly in nonvegetated areas. Green turtle hatching success was higher at vegetated vs. nonvegetated nest sites ( p < 0.001).

We assessed mitochondrial DNA diversity in Trionyx triunguis from the Mediterranean basin (22 samples) and continental Africa (4 samples). The continental African group comprised 4 different and newly described haplotypes, while the Mediterranean group consisted of only 1 previously known haplotype, with the nucleotide divergence between the 2 groups being 1.5% ± 0.7%.

The nesting biology of loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta , on Dalyan beach, Turkey, was studied during the 2004 and 2005 nesting seasons. In addition, we analyzed nesting trends over 19 consecutive years, from 1987 to 2005. A total of 711 emergences occurred in 2004 and 605 emergences in 2005, of which 223 (31.4%) and 221 (36.5%) nests were deposited, respectively. Mean nesting densities were 47.5 nests km −1 and 47 nests km −1 in 2004 and 2005, respectively. Of the overall nests, 424 (95%) were excavated and 32,339 eggs were counted. Of these eggs, 19,947 (61.7%) hatchlings had come out and 18,607 (93.3% of hatchlings) of them were able to reach the sea. We recorded a total of 3688 nests on Dalyan beach during 19 consecutive years with a mean of 194 nests per year. There were also strong annual fluctuations in the number of nests, which ranged from a minimum of 57 nests (in 1990) to a maximum of 286 (in 2002). No trend in the number of nests over the 19-year period was seen (95% CI −2.7% to 6.7% change per year). The lack of increase was a surprising result when considering the long-term conservation efforts on the beach; although, a similar case was reported in Laganas Bay, Greece. High interannual fluctuations could obscure trends as stated in previous studies.

The global trade in tortoises of the genus Testudo was reviewed by using compiled import data from Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) for 1975–2005. A total of 58 importing and 112 exporting countries were recorded as being involved with the Testudo trade. Turkey, the former Soviet Union, the former Yugoslavia, Morocco, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Ukraine accounted for 81% of the recorded exports; whereas, the United Kingdom, Germany, and the United States dominated the import market with 67% of the individuals. Testudo horsfieldi accounted for 48% of the exports, followed by Testudo graeca (37%) and Testudo hermanni (13%). A total of 2,062,289 individuals were traded internationally, and of these, 99% were live animals. Of the animals from known sources, 67% were from the wild, and 16% were allegedly captive bred; the source of 70% of all declared trade animals was unknown.

ABSTRACT Two Turkish populations of Mauremys caspica and Mauremys rivulata were compared morphologically, serologically, and ecologically. Morphometric differences were noted among sexes and populations. Electrophoretic patterns demonstrated significant differences between the taxa and supported their status as distinct species.