Seasonal variation in population location of the Galapagos tortoise, geochelone elephantopus vandenburghi, on Volcan Alcedo, Isabela Island, Galapagos archipelago

Abstract

Twenty tortoises, 10 adult males and 10 adult females, were tagged with radio transmitters. Numbers were painted on each carapace to aid in visual sighting. The tortoises were released, and their movement was monitored over a one year period. The percent recovery of tagged tortoises along with the numbers of non-tagged tortoises counted in sections of the study area, were used to determine tortoise population movement and location. Weather data were collected and observations were made concerning the vegetation. These observations were compared with those from previous studies to see what impact seasonal climatic conditions and food availability had on tortoise movement. Population movement does occur on Volcan Alcedo. This movement is dependent on seasonal weather patterns and food availability