THE HORSFIELD'S (STEPPE,
CENTRAL ASIAN) TORTOISE
(AGRIONEMYS HORSFIELDI)
IN KAZAKHSTAN
1. The species position in the animal
kingdom system
Classis Reptilia Linnaeus
Subclassis Anapsida
Ordo Testudines Fitzinger, 1836
Subordo Cryptodira Dumeril et Bibron, 1835
Familia Testudinidae Gray, 1825
Genus Agrionemys Chosatzky et Mlinarski, 1966
The monotypic genus with the single species: the Horsfield's
(Steppe, Central Asian) Agrionemys horsfieldi. Reaches 29 cm long.
Carapace high, uniformly yellowish or brownish, sometimes with large black
spots. Forelegs with 4 claws.
2. The species status and range
Widespread species: Iran, Afghanistan, NE India, N Pakistan.
Central Asian republics of the former USSR: Uzbekistan, Kyrghystan, Turkmenistan,
Kazakhstan. In Kazakhstan inhabits the deserts in the southern part of
the country and the Tien Shan foothills. The northern limit: Emba River
delta, Turgai River downstream, southern coast of Balkhash Lake, Alakol'
Lake. In the mountains occurs up to 1,200 m
3. The habitat state
Within the Central Asian republics of the former USSR the
main tortoise resources are concentrated in Kazakhstan. In the seventies
and eighties in some places of Kazakhstan its population considerably reduced
through the cultivation and destruction of natural sites. After the USSR
disintegration an economic activity decreased. This fact should favour
the tortoise population rise.
4. The activity, reproduction, feeding
A hibernation release is in March-April. Mating until the
middle of April. Mass oviposit (2--5 eggs) in the middle May and in June.
Incubation 80--100 days. After their hatching the young dig themselves
in soil, until the next spring. Sexual maturity aged 10--13. Life duration
30--40 years. Phytophagous.
5. Abundance, exploitation of resources
Despite
the tortoise occurrence over the vast territory its population density
in many places (sands, salines, stony plains and foothills) is low (0,2--5,1
specimens/ha). Its commercial resources are concentrated in the restricted
territory making no more than 3% of the species range where its average
abundance is 8,0 specimens/ha and higher.
Since 1976 until 1983 there were captured 866,000, or
average 108,250 specimens per year. Since 1984 until 1993 297,200 specimens
were captured in the natural conditions, or average ca 30 thousands per
year. The total size of controlled capture (1976--1993) formed ca 1,096,300
specimens or average ca 61 thousand specimens per year. The main commercial
regions are Kerbulak plateau (massif) (77 å, 44 N) and Arys massif (68
30' E, 42 30' N). After the former USSR disintegration the centralized
captures of the wild animals, in particular Central Asian tortoise were
stopped. At present the conservation of its resources in Kazakhstan actually
is not carried out. The explored commercial resources of Central Asian
tortoise allow to estimate the present limit of its capture to be 20 thousand
specimens annually.
6. Questions to be studied
Specification of the northern species range limit in the
Turgai River downstream and in the Betpak-Dala Desert.
Influence of commerce upon the abundance of populations and
their sexual and age composition.
Estimation of the present species abundance on the base of
records
Estimation of the total abundance in the tortoise commercial
places
Establishment of the capturing standards
Ecological aspects
Persons who wish to take part in
the investigations of Central Asian tortoise are asked to appeal at the
following address:
Rudolf A. KUBYKIN,
Institute of zoology
Cientific researcher
National Academy of sciences
93 Al-Farabi, Almaty, 490060, Kazakhstan
E-male: chuk@remez.almaty.kz
This page is created (C) and supported by
a nongovernmental nonprofit organization "Ecoeducation"
Petropavlosk-Kamchatsky, 1999