home / publications
Publications
This page provides references and links to publications on Homopus. The first section refers to publications that were generated by, or with, the Homopus Research Foundation (reprints are available), whereas the second section provides a general (incomplete) bibliography on Homopus.

Publications generated by, or with, the Homopus Research Foundation

Scientific articles
  • Hofmeyr, M.D., Henen, B.T. and V.J.T. Loehr. 2005. Overcoming environmental and morphological constraints: egg size and pelvic kinesis in the smallest tortoise, Homopus signatus. Canadian Journal of Zoology 83: 1343-1352.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. 1999. Husbandry, behavior and captive breeding of the Namaqualand speckled padloper (Homopus s. signatus). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 3: 468-473.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. 2002. Diet of the Namaqualand speckled padloper, Homopus signatus signatus, in early spring. African Journal of Herpetology 51: 47-55.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. 2002. Population characteristics and activity patterns of the Namaqualand speckled padloper (Homopus signatus signatus) in the early spring. Journal of Herpetology 36: 378-389.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. 2004. Growth of the Namaqualand speckled padloper, Homopus signatus signatus (Reptilia: Testudinidae). African Zoology 39: 309-313.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. 2006. Natural diet of the Namaqualand speckled padloper (Homopus signatus signatus). Chelonian Conservation and Biology 5: 149-152.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. 2006. Egg and hatchling characteristics of the Namaqualand speckled padloper (Homopus signatus signatus): preliminary data from a captive population. Chelonii 4: 273-276.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. 2008. The ecology of the world's smallest tortoise, Homopus signatus signatus: effects of rainfall. PhD dissertation. University of the Western Cape, South Africa.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. 2010. Structure and dynamics of a Namaqualand speckled tortoise (Homopus signatus signatus) population over 5 years of rainfall variation. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 9: 223-230.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. in press. Road mortality in the greater padloper, Homopus femoralis (Testudinidae). Chelonian Conservation and Biology.
  • Loehr, V.J.T. in press. High body temperatures in an arid, winter-rainfall environment: thermal biology of the smallest tortoise. Journal of Arid Environments.
  • Loehr, V.J.T., Henen, B.T., and Hofmeyr, M.D. 2004. Reproduction of the smallest tortoise, the Namaqualand speckled padloper, Homopus signatus signatus. Herpetologica 60: 444-454.
  • Loehr, V.J.T., Henen, B.T., and Hofmeyr, M.D. 2006. Shell characteristics and sexual dimorphism in the Namaqualand speckled padloper, Homopus signatus signatus. African Journal of Herpetology 55: 1-11.
  • Loehr, V.J.T., Henen, B.T., and Hofmeyr, M.D. 2006. Tick infestations in the Namaqualand speckled padloper, Homopus signatus signatus (Gmelin, 1789). African Zoology 41: 170-177.
  • Loehr, V.J.T., Hofmeyr, M.D., and Henen, B.T. 2007. Growing and shrinking in the smallest tortoise, Homopus signatus signatus: the importance of rain. Oecologia 153: 479-488.
  • Loehr, V.J.T., Hofmeyr, M.D., and Henen, B.T. 2007. Annual variation in the body condition of a small, arid zone tortoise, Homopus signatus signatus. Journal of Arid Environments 71: 337-349.
  • Loehr, V.J.T., Hofmeyr, M.D., and Henen, B.T. 2009. Small and sensitive to drought: consequences of aridification to the conservation of Homopus signatus signatus. African Journal of Herpetology 58: 116-125.
  • Loehr, V.J.T., Henen, B.T., and Hofmeyr, M.D. 2011. Reproductive responses to rainfall in the Namaqualand speckled tortoise. Copeia 2011: 278-284.
  • Schleicher, A. and Loehr, V.J.T. 2001. Husbandry, behavior and captive breeding of the Nama padloper (Homopus bergeri) from southwestern Namibia. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 4: 165-170.
  • Schmidt, F.A.C. 2003. Undersuchungen zur Stoffwechselphysiologie der beiden afrikanischen Landschildkröten Malacochersus tornieri und Homopus s. signatus in Abhängigkeit der Temperatur. Unpublished M.Sc. thesis. Frankfurt University, Germany.
Notes, field reports, and popular articles Annual studbook reports
 Studbook management plans
 Caresheets
Homopus bibliography
  • Alderton, D. 1988. Turtles and tortoises of the world. Blandford Press, London.
  • Anonymous. Land tortoises of southern Africa; Cape Padloper (Homopus areolatus). African Wildlife. Undated.
  • Anonymous. Land tortoises of southern Africa; Karoo Padloper (Homopus boulengeri). African Wildlife 40(2): 72. Undated.
  • Anonymous. Land tortoises of southern Africa; Speckled Padloper (Homopus signatus). African Wildlife 40(6): 222. Undated.
  • Archer, W.H. 1968. The padlopers. African Wild Life 22(1): 29-35.
  • Baard, E.H.W. 1994. Cape tortoises, their identification and care. Cape Nature Conservation (South Africa).
  • Barzyk, J.E. 1994. Husbandry and captive breeding of the parrot-beaked tortoise, Homopus areolatus. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 1: 138-141.
  • Basile, I.A. 1989. Faszinierende Schildkröten - Landschildkröten. Verlag Stephanie Naglschmid, Stuttgart.
  • Bayoff, N. 1995. Observations and morphometric data on the Namaqualand speckled tortoise, Homopus s. signatus (Gmelin, 1789), in South Africa. Chelonian Conservation and Biology 1: 215-220.
  • Bonin, F., Deveaux, B. and Dupré, A. 1996. Toutes les tortues du monde. Delachaux et Niestlé, Lausanne (Switzerland).
  • Boycott, R. 1986. A review of Homopus signatus with notes on related species. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 32: 10-16.
  • Boycott, R.C. and Bourquin, O. 1988. The South African tortoise book, a guide to South African tortoises, terrapins and turtles. Soutern Book Publishers, Johannesburg (South Africa).
  • Boulenger, G.A. 1888. Description of a new land-tortoise from South Africa, from a specimen living in the society's gardens. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 251 (1 plate).
  • Boulenger, G.A. 1890. Note on the secondary sexual characters in the South-African tortoises of the genus Homopus. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London: 521.
  • Boulenger, G.A. 1902. A list of the fishes, batrachians and reptiles collected by M. J. ffolliott Darling in Mashonaland, with descriptions of new species. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London May 1902: 13-17. Includes a plate of Homopus darlingi.
  • Boulenger, G.A. 1907. Second report on the batrachians and reptiles collected in South Africa by Mr. C.H.B. Grant and presented to the British Museum by Mr. C.D. Rudd. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London October 1907: 478-483.
  • Bour, R.H. 1988. Taxonomic and nomeclatural status of Homopus signatus. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 35: 1-6.
  • Branch, W.R. and Braack, H.H. 1987. Reptiles and amphibians of the Karoo National Park: a surprising diversity. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 36: 26-35.
  • Branch, W.R. 1988&1998. Field Guide to the Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Three editions. Cape Town: Struik Publishers.
  • Branch, W.R. 1988. Bill Branch se Veldgids tot die slange en ander reptiele van Suider-Afrika. Cape Town: Struik Publishers.
  • Branch, W.R. 1989. Homopus bergeri, Species Status reports. In: Swingland, I.R. and Klemens, M.W.. The conservation biology of tortoises. Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission No. 5: 75-77.
  • Branch, W.R. 1991. Homopus femoralis, greater padloper, size. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa: 39: 27.
  • Branch, B.R. 1992. Homopus '' - a wrong name for a new tortoise from southern Namibia. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 40: 11.
  • Branch, W.R. 1993. South African Snakes and Other Reptiles, a photographic guide. London: New Holland Publishers.
  • Branch, W.R. 1999. Homopus femoralis, greater padloper, egg and clutch size. African Herp News 30: 28-29.
  • Branch, W.R. 2007. A new species of tortoise of the genus Homopus (Chelonia: Testudinidae) from southern Namibia. African Journal of Herpetological 56: 1-21.
  • Broschell, S. 2000. Leben und Fortpflanzung der Areolen-Flachschildkröte Homopus areolatus (Thunberg, 1787) in menschlicher Obhut. Sauria 22(3): 3-9.
  • Burger, M. 1993. The herpetofauna of Anysberg Nature Reserve, Cape Province, South Africa. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 42: 1-12.
  • Cairncross, B.L. 1946. Notes on South African Tortoises. Annals of the Transvaal Museum 1946: 395-397.
  • Cunningham, P.L. and Simang, A. 2007. Some aspects of ecology and behaviour of Homopus sp. from southwestern Namibia (Testudines: Cryptodira: Testudinidae). Herpetozoa 19: 129-134.
  • Daniels, S.R., Hofmeyr, M.D., Henen, B.T. and Baard, E.H.W. 2010. Systematics and phylogeography of a threatened tortoise, the speckled padloper. Animal Conservation 13: 237-246.
  • Dampier, L. 1997. Cape Tortoises: The little guys of turtledom. Reptile Hobbyist October: 36-43.
  • Deveaux, B. 1997. L'Afrique du Sud. La Tortue 16: 27.
  • De Waal, S.W.P. 1980. The Testudines (Reptilia) of the Orange Free State, South Africa. Navorsinge van die Nasionale Museum 4: 85-91.
  • Duerden, J.E. 1907. Genetics of the colour pattern in tortoises of the genus Homopus and its allies. Records of the Albany Museum 2 (1907): 65-92.
  • Ernst, C. H. and Barbour, R.W. 1989. Turtles of the World. Washington D.C., London: Smithsonian Institution Press.
  • Fleck, J. and Fleck, S. 2001. Erfolgreiche Nachzucht von Chersina angulata und Homopus areolatus über mehrere Jahre. Elaphe 9(3): 5-14.
  • Goosen, H. 1983. Dopdiere uit die oertyd. Suid-Afrikaanse Panorama April 1983: 48-50.
  • Gorseman, P. 1980. Opmerkingen over biotoop en voortplanting van Homopus areolatus. Lacerta 38: 107-111.
  • Greig, J.C. 1987. Land tortoises of Southern Africa: Greater Padloper, Homopus femoralis. African Wildlife 41: 138.
  • Greig, J.C. and Burdett, P.D. 1976. Patterns in the distribution of southern African terrestrial tortoises (Cryptodira: Testudinidae). Zoologica Africana 11: 249-273.
  • Greig, J. and Boycott, R. 1978. Our land tortoises. African Wildlife 32: 39-42.
  • Haagner, G.V. 1990. Homopus boulengeri, Karoo padloper, egg size. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 37: 51.
  • Hewitt, J. 1931. Descriptions of some African tortoises. Annals of the Natal Museum 6: 461-506.
  • Hewitt, J. 1937. A note on the relationships of the Cape genera of land-tortoises. South African Journal of Science 33: 788-796.
  • Hughes, B. 1986. Longevity records of African captive amphibians and reptiles: Part 1. Introduction and species list 1 - amphibians and chelonians. Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 32: 1-9.
  • Iverson, J.B. 1992. A Revised Checklist with Distribution Maps of the Turtles of the World. Privately printed. IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group (1989). Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles; An Action Plan for their Conservation. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
  • Karl, H.-V. and Tichy, G. 1999. Die Taxonomie von Homopus bergeri LINDHOLM 1906 (Testudines: Testudinidae). Mauritania 17(2): 277-284.
  • King, F.W. and Burke, R.L. 1989. Crocodilian, Tuatara, and Turtle species of the world. A taxonomic and geographic reference. Association of Systematics Collections, Washington, DC.
  • Loveridge, A., Willams, E.E. 1957. Genus Homopus Duméril and Bibron. In: Revision of the African tortoises and turtles of the suborder Cryptodira. Bulletin of the Museum of Comparative Zoology 115: 352-374.
  • Mertens, R. 1955. Die Amphibien und Reptilien Südwestafrikas: aus den Ergebnissen einer im Jahre 1952 ausgeführten Reise. Abhandlungen der Senckenbergischen Naturforschenden Gesellschaft 490: 33-39.
  • Morgan, D.R. 1993. Homopus signatus, speckled padloper, reproduction. Jourbal of the Herpetological Association of Africa 42: 34.
  • Müller, G. 1987. Schildkröten: Land-, Sumpf- und Wasserschildkröten im Terrarium. Unknown publisher.
  • Müller, V. and Schmidt, W. 1995. Landschildkröten. Natur und Tier - Verlag, Münster (Germany).
  • Noel-Hume, I. and Noel-Hulme, A. 1954. Tortoises, terrapins and turtles. W. & G. Foyle, Ltd. London.
  • Obst, F.J. 1980. Schildkröten. Urania Verlag, Leipzig - Jena - Berlin.
  • Obst, F.J. 1988. Die Welt der Schildkröten. Leipzig (Edition Leipzig).
  • Oettle, E.E., Steytler, Y.G.M., and Williams M.C. 1990: High mortality in a tortoise colony. South African Journal of Wildlife Research 20: 21-25.
  • Palmer, M. 1994. The speckled tortoise, Homopus signatus, in captivity. Tortuga Gazette 30: 1-5.
  • Patterson, R. 1991. Snakes and other reptiles of southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Publishers.
  • Perrin, M.R. and Campbell, B.S. 1981. Some aspects of thermoregulation in three species of southern African tortoises. South African Journal of Zoology 16: 35-43.
  • Pritchard, P.C.H. 1967. Living turtles of the world. T.F.H. Publications, Jersey City NJ.
  • Pritchard, P.C.H. 1979. Encyclopedia of turtles. T.F.H. Publications, Neptune NJ.
  • Rogner, M. 1996. Schildkröten 2. Heidi-Rogner-Verlag, Hürtgenwald.
  • Rose, W. 1950. The reptiles and amphibians of southern Africa. Maskew Miller, Ltd., Cape Town.
  • Rust, H.T. 1937. Interessante Schildkröten IV Die Gattung Homopus. Wochenschrift für Aquarium und Terrariumkunde 34: 699-700.
  • Schleicher, A. 2000. Ein Leben in Afrika für die Schildkröten; Alfred Schleicher - Windhoek, Namibia. Schildkröte 2 (2): 60-65.
  • Schleicher, A. 2004. Experiences with keeping and breeding the Namibian Cape Tortoise Homopus sp. ("Homopus bergeri"), in a Namibian outdoor enclosure. Radiata (English Edition) 13: 3-12.
  • Schmidt, F. and Engelbrecht, K. 2006. Homopus signatus. Maximum male size. Herpetological Review 37: 207.
  • Siebenrock, K.F. 1909. Homopus bergeri Ldh., eine Testudo-Art aus der Geometrica-Gruppe. Zoologischer Anzeiger 34: 623-625.
  • Swingland, I.R., Klemens, M.W., IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, The Durell Institute of Conservation and Ecology (1989). The Conservation Biology of Tortoises; Occasional Papers of the IUCN Species Survival Commission no. 5. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland.
  • Van Wyk, J.C.P. and Bates, M.F. 1999. Homopus boulengeri Duerden, 1906, Karroo padloper. African Herp News 28: 42-43.
  • Vetter, H. 2002. Terralog Turtles of the World. Vol. 1./Schilkröten der Welt. Band 1. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt.
  • Windolf, R. 1984. Schildkröten stellen sich vor: No.21: Die Gattung Homopus (Flachschildkröten). Die Schildkröte 6: 52-60.
Top