Testudo Weissingeri

[TestudoGeek]

Today, while visiting this Spanish site (from whom I bought my hatchling), I saw some Testudo Weissingeri Torts for sale (1 baby 100€, 2 babies 190€, 6 babies 540€).

They looked really nice (pics: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6), and I had never heard about them. So I did some google searches and came across some info saying the following:

"A population of small and light-colored Marginated Tortoises exists on the SW coast of the Peloponnesus, between Kalamata and south of Stoupa. The so-called "Dwarf Marginated Tortoise" was described as a new species Testudo weissingeri, but it is not recognizably distinct phylogenetically. Unlike the Sardinian population, it occupies an extremely restricted range with very arid habitat, and its apomorphies seem related to this. Considering ice age-associated climate and sea level changes, this population is probably not older than a few thousand years; as it is not geographically isolated, it should be considered a local morph, and not even a subspecies Testudo marginata weissingeri.(Fritz et al. 2005)"
-- From this site: http://wapedia.mobi/en/Marginated_Tortoise

I found adults pictured here: http://www.reptarium.cz/systematika.php?lang=en&cid=1232

Is anyone familiar with this pseudo-subspecies of Testudo Marginata?

 

[Iluvemturts]

Very interesting.
I'd like to hear Chris and Danny's take on this.

 

[egyptiandan]

They are only smaller because of their enviroment. All the DNA work and pictures show that it's impossible to tell them apart except for size.
As long as your not paying any more money for them then T. marginata don't see any thing wrong. Just as long as you know they are all T. marginata.

Danny

 

[TestudoGeek]

They are only smaller because of their enviroment. All the DNA work and pictures show that it's impossible to tell them apart except for size.
As long as your not paying any more money for them then T. marginata don't see any thing wrong. Just as long as you know they are all T. marginata.

Danny

Thanks Dan. I'm not actually considering buying one, as I have no room for more than 1 tort, but was rather curious about this Testudo I had never heard about.

 

[Crazy1]

[/quote]
rather curious about this Testudo I had never heard about.
[/quote]

Thanks for bringing this info forward TestudoGeek-I had never heard of them either. I too am always interested in a different subspecies or testudo I have never heard of.
And thanks Danny for your explanation.

 

[T-P]

how bgi do they get?

 

[TestudoGeek]

how bgi do they get?

They reach a maximum carapace length of 26,5cm.
See this link: http://nlbif.eti.uva.nl/bis/turtles.php?menuentry=soorten&id=400

 

[T-P]

Is that smaller than a normal Marginated?

 

[TestudoGeek]

Is that smaller than a normal Marginated?

Yes. The Marginated Tortoise (Testudo marginata) is the largest European tortoise. They can reach up to 38cm