Sexual Dimorphism in Testudo graeca zarudnyi (Testudines: Testudinidae) from Yazd Province, Central Iran

Abstract

To investigate morphological traits of the poorly known Zarudny’s tortoise, Testudo graeca zarudnyi Nikolsky, 1896, which has only been reported from Iran so far, we have conducted morphometric analysis to test sexual differences (sexual size and shape dimorphism, SSD) in Marvar Prohibited Hunting Area (central Iran). Our findings showed that males have wider carapace and larger hind limbs; while, females have longer plastron. This pattern has resulted in shape differences with males; that is, have more domed and wider carapace than to the females. Generally, Females are larger than males we will discuss it as a force to fecundity selection. The results showed that this subspecies does not follow Rench’s rule which argues that males are larger than females.