DISCOVERY OF AN ENDANGERED TURTLE SPECIES ON THE WATERCOURSE OF THE HEAD

As part of a scientific collaboration between the Center for Training and Research on Mediterranean Environments (CEFREM, CNRS-University of Perpignan Via Dominitia) and Veolia Water CEFREM researchers have discovered the presence of an endangered species of turtle on the Têt stream! 

CEFREM and Veolia Eau Perpignan have established, since April 2011, a research collaboration contract relating to the realization of a multidisciplinary study devoted to the analysis, in particular downstream of the Perpignan treatment plant, of certain chemical contaminants. and biodiversity on the Têt, a major waterway in the department.

The first results have just revealed la unexpected presence of an endemic turtle species called leprous enamel. Indeed, a functional population of a dozen individuals was identified for the first time on the lower part of the watercourse, between Bompas and Villelongue de La Salanque.

This species, considered « in danger of disappearing » on the National Red List of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (French IUCN) is only listed in the Maghreb countries, the Iberian Peninsula and the Pyrénées-Orientales department. Until now, their existence in France was only proven on the rivers of La Baillaury, Tech and in the lower part of Agly.

This discovery could be used in the future ofbiological indicator de l 'state of health of Tet waters. Based on this first observation, the partnership between CEFREM and Veolia Eau Perpignan could be extended in order to measure, over time, the quality of the Têt water and assess the impact of tertiary wastewater treatment on the evolution. of local biodiversity.    

links to reports from France 3: 

Regional editions of 12/13, 07-09-2011 

http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/france-3-12-13-languedoc-roussillon/id285420776 

19 / 20 Regional Editions, 07-09-2011 

http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/france-3-19-20-languedoc-roussillon/id285420501 

descriptive sheet of the leprous turtle:  

Répartition : Leprecious enamel is present in the majority of the countries of the Greater Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania and Tunisia) as well as in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal). In France, it is known in some streams around Banyuls Sur Mer (Pyrénées-Orientales). Isolated observations, especially in Languedoc-Roussillon, most certainly concern turtles escaped from captivity or released voluntarily by humans.

Habitat: leper Mauremys can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats: backwaters, canals, ditches, ponds, ponds, rivers, rivers and coastal swamps. Its important ecological plasticity allows it to colonize any type of aquatic ecosystem including polluted ones.

Size allowed: The female reaches a size of 25 cm long for a weight of 1,5 kg while the smaller male does not exceed 19 cm for a weight of 750 grams.               

Diet : Leprecious enamel seeks food both on land and in water, day and night. Omnivorous, it feeds on amphibians and their larvae, dead fish, corpses of vertebrates (mammals and birds), invertebrates and aquatic plants. 

Reproduction: The female lays one to two eggs per year between May and June. These each include up to 22 eggs (usually between 3 and 14 eggs). The eggs are white with hard shell. They measure between 32 and 38 mm long for a width between 19 and 20 mm and a weight of 8 to 10 grams. The incubation period is three months. At birth, the dimensions of young turtles range from 22,7 mm to 26 mm long for a width of 17,2 mm to 20 mm and a weight of 5 grams. The tail reaches 20 mm long.

Threat : In France, leprosy is considered a threatened species because of the small size of its distribution. On the other hand, it does not seem in danger in the other regions where it is present (Great Maghreb and Iberian Peninsula).