Bell's hinge-back tortoise

Bell's hinge-back tortoise
File:Kinixys belliana nogueyi 1 by diotime.jpg
Kinixys belliana nogueyi
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Subphylum:	Vertebrata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Testudines
Family:	Testudinidae
Genus:	Kinixys
Species:	K. belliana
Binomial name
Kinixys belliana Gray, [1830]
Synonyms
Kinixys belliana belliana Testudo (Kinyxis) belliana Gray, 1831 Kinixys belliana Gray, 1831 Cinixys (Cinothorax) belliana Fitzinger, 1835 Cinothorax bellianus Fitzinger, 1843 Kinixys schoensis Rüppell, 1845 Kinixys belliana zombensis Hewitt, 1931 Kinixys belliana zuluensis Hewitt, 1931 Kinixys belliana belliana Mertens, Müller & Rust, 1934 Kinixys zuluensis Hewitt, 1937 Kinixys zombensis Mitchell, 1946 Kinixys belliana schoensis Mertens & Wermuth, 1955 Kinixys belliana mertensi Laurent, 1956 Madakinixys domerguei Vuillemin, 1972 Kinixys shoensis Pritchard, 1979 (ex errore) Madakinixys domergei Gaffney, 1979 (ex errore) Kinixys belliana domerguei Bour, 1985 Kinixys belliana nogueyi Homopus nogueyi Lataste, 1886 Cinixys dorri Lataste, 1888 Cinixys nogueyi Siebenrock, 1903 Kinixys nogueyi Hewitt, 1931 Kinixys belliana nogueyi Mertens, Müller & Rust, 1934

Bell's hinge-back tortoise (Kinixys belliana) is a species of African tortoise, from the family Testudinidae. It has the hinge that characterizes all tortoises in the genus Kinixys. There are several subspecies (some of which may actually be separate species; see below) and the Bell's hinge-back tortoise is subject to wide variation throughout its extensive range.

Etymology

Both the specific name, belliana, and the common name are in honor of English zoologist Thomas Bell.

Description

Bell's hinge-back tortoise is a medium-sized light brown tortoise. They can grow up to 22 cm. On the back of its shell, the tortoise has a 90 degree hinge which, when closed, can protect its rear legs and tail from predators. This broad band of flexible connective tissue is located between the 4th and 5th costals and the 7th and 8th peripherals in adults.

The scutes on its slightly domed and elongated shell typically have a radiating pattern of dark patches, though these can fade. Adult males have a concave belly. Most Bell's hinge-backs have five claws on each forefoot except for one of the subspecies, K. b. nogeuyi.

Distribution and habitat

In its habitat, Bell's hinge-back tortoise favours tropical and sub-tropical savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa.

It was traditionally considered to be the most common and widespread hinge-back tortoise, found throughout a large part of sub-Saharan Africa such as in Sudan, Tanzania, DR Congo and down to southern Africa. However, a revision of the species advocated by Kindler et al. (2012) would restrict it only to the central African populations, ranging from Angola to Burundi.

Diet

Bell's hinge-back tortoise is an omnivore, with a very varied diet consisting mainly of a range of different plants, but also including insects and other meat.

It feeds on vegetables, twigs, roots, leaves, fruits, earthworms, snails, tadpoles and other small invertebrates.

Threats and conservation

In its natural habitat, its predators are leopards, hawks, and eagles.

Currently it is mainly threatened by widespread collection from the wild for the illegal international trade in the species. It is also collected by local peoples for food and human population growth in the area is putting pressure on the species. Human-induced fire is also a threat.

As of March 22, 2000, the USDA has banned importation of the Bell's hinge-back tortoise, Leopard tortoise and the African spurred tortoise.

Subspecies

• K. b. belliana - Bell's hinge-back
• K. b. domerguei - Madagascan hinge-back
• K. b. nogeuyi - Western hinge-back
• K. b. zombensis - Southeastern hinge-back

Kindler et al. (2012) raised the subspecies K. b. zombensis (which they considered a senior synonym of K. b. domerguei) and K. b. nogeuyi to the ranks of separate species.

Parasites of hinge-back tortoises

Kinixys tortoises play host to a number of ectoparasites (external) and endoparasites (internal) A survey (by Alan Probert & Clive Humphreys) of mixed captive K. spekii and K. belliana (mostly K. spekii) in Zimbabwe showed that ticks (Arachnida) and roundworms (Nematoda) of genera Angusticium, Atractis and Tachygontria infect these tortoises. This has been reported by others as well. However, some of the tiny roundworms (photographed under SEM) are very likely new species and as yet remain undescribed.

References

• Smylie, A: Kinixys (Hinged-Back Tortoises). Gulf Coast Turtle and Tortoise Society.
• Hingeback Central: Kinixys belliana Bell's Hingeback Tortoise.

Bibliography