Connection between global conservation status, geographical range size, midpoint latitude, female carapace length, and clutch size of Testudines
Abstract
The need for species conservation is only magnified with each passing day.
Testudines are one of the taxonomic orders most at risk of extinction on Earth. Over
70% of Testudines are globally listed on the IUCN Red List and over 60% of those are
at risk of extinction. Testudines face many threats including habitat loss and
degradation. At time of data collection there were 258 turtles globally listed on the
IUCN Red List. Following justified additions there were recognized to be 266 turtle
species globally listed on the IUCN Red List for the purpose of this study. I collected
data for 357 turtle species and examined the association of conservation status with
geographic range size, midpoint latitude, female carapace length, and clutch size to
determine if any of these attributes would be useful for determining extinction risk.
IUCN status rank for species was most highly correlated with mean female carapace
length. IUCN status rank for species was most highly correlated with mean female
carapace length. The positive association of risk with increasing body size supports
concerns about the impact of harvesting or poaching of turtles and tortoises by humans.
Testudines are clearly in need of conservation efforts.
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