Assessment of reproductive state in the turtle Mauremys leprosa: a comparison between inguinal palpation and radiography

Abstract

Inguinal palpation and radiography were carried out simultaneously on a sample of 387 adult female Mediterranean turtles, Mauremys leprosa, to assess the presence of calcified oviductal eggs. A significantly higher frequency of pregnant females was obtained through radiography. Egg-bearing females (as shown on radiographs) with positive palpation tended to have significantly larger clutches than did females with negative palpation. Clutches in the earlier calcification stages were less likely to be detected by palpation than were more calcified eggs. The frequency of positive palpations of egg-bearing females varied significantly throughout the nesting season, as a function of variations in both clutch size and average calcification level.