Giant sequoia was one of the first species that A. E. Douglass examined in his pioneering tree- ring research. Recent attention to sequoia, stimulated by fire history studies in sequoia groves, has resulted in new ring-width chronologies based on both recently collected tree-ring material and Douglass' original samples. The development and characteristics of four new multimillennial sequoia chronologies are described here. Three of these chronologies are based on tree-ring series from individual sites: Camp Six (347 B.C. to A.D. 1989), Mountain Home (1094 B.C. to A.D. 1989), and Giant Forest (1235 B.C. to A.D. 1988). The fourth is a composite chronology (1235 B.C. to A.D. 1989) that includes radii from the other three chronologies. Sequoia ring series are generally complacent with occasional narrow rings ("signature years"). Ring-width standardization was complicated by growth releases, many of which are known to have been caused by fires. Such growth releases confuse climatic interpretation of low-frequency signals in the time series. Ring- width series were detrended with cubic splines with 50% frequency response function at 40 years to de-emphasize low-frequency variation and were fit with autoregressive time series models to remove persistence. The resulting prewhitened chronologies contain primarily a high frequency climate signal and are useful for assessing the past occurrence of extreme drought events and for dating applications. The dating chronology originally developed by Douglass is confirmed and the annual nature of giant sequoia tree rings unequivocally verified.

This article describes the analysis of tree-ring collections from standing trees of sixteen species at twenty sites distributed throughout the Italian Peninsula. Visual and numerical crossdating among ring widths allowed the computation of standard and residual tree-ring chronologies. Relationships among chronologies were identified by Spearman's coefficient of rank correlation, using Bonferroni's inequality to adjust significance level. The oldest living tree sampled to date is a 963-year old palebark pine (Pinus leucodermis Ant.) at Parco del Pollino. Individuals more than two centuries old were identified at eleven sites for eight species. The tree-ring network so far consists of twenty-two chronologies for nine species at nineteen sites. Seven conifer species account for ten chronologies and two angiosperm species account for the remaining twelve chronologies. The most represented species is Fagus sylvatica L., with eleven chronologies distributed over the entire peninsula and highly correlated with one another. The order of autoregressive models fitted to the data never exceeded two. In particular, the order of autoregressive models fitted to Fagus sylvatica chronologies decreased with decreasing age of sampled trees. Based on the significant coefficients of rank correlation, residual chronologies of Fagus sylvatica could be separated into northern, central, and southern groups. This points to the existence of broad regions distributed along a latitudinal gradient, corresponding to large-scale climatic regimes over the Italian Peninsula.

Hypotheses about the causes of the growth and decline of the Chacoan regional interaction system in the southwestern United States between A.D. 900 and 1200 are evaluated against tree-ring evidence and the results of an empirical model (PRECON) that computes the statistical relationships between climate and ring-width indices during the 20th century and applies the results to hypothesized precipitation or temperature changes. The statistical responses of 23 indexed conifer ring-width chronologies from New Mexico and Colorado to variations in monthly temperature and precipitation were calculated. Simulated decreases in prior autumn-winter precipitation markedly reduced ring widths, while decreased current summer precipitation was less effective, sometimes reducing ring width or having little effect. Decreased prior winter temperature slightly reduced ring width, while decreased growing season temperature usually increased or did not effect ring widths. Evaluated in terms of these results, the Chaco Canyon area tree-ring record (1) indicates that favorable climatic conditions in the 10th, 11th, and early 12th centuries fostered the growth of the Chacoan system, (2) shows that dry autumn-winter and summer conditions in the middle 1100s contributed to the downfall of the system, (3) does not support the proposition that centuries-long climatic fluctuations evident in southwestern Colorado affected Chaco Canyon, (4) does not support the idea of shifts from summer-to winter-dominant precipitation regimes, and (5) contributes little to assessing the role of anthropogenic environmental change in the collapse of the Chacoan system.

Tree-ring dating was used to develop construction scenarios for two log structures, the Draper and the Fuller buildings. in the Edwards Plateau region of Texas. The Draper building was constructed in 1902-3, and added onto in 1906. The dating of the Fuller building is less certain, but the structure probably was built in the 1860s or 1870s.

Phipps showed that the cross-sectional area of successive tree rings in suppressed red maples and chestnut oaks, sampled at three-foot intervals above the base, is approximately constant. I show that this invariance in cross-sectional area is consistent with ring width varying as the inverse square root of ring number and with mean ring diameter and trunk diameter each scaling as the square root of ring number. These results may be useful in formulating growth rules for tree trunks of selected species, under constant environmental conditions, in terms of a single independent variable. For example, if elastic similarity holds, trunk height is proportional to the two-thirds power of trunk diameter. This relation implies that trunk height scales as the cube root of ring number. Thus, trunk height and trunk diameter may, in principle, both be expressed in terms of one independent variable, ring number.

O crescimento das árvores é uma informação de grande importância para a realização do manejo florestal, sobretudo em diâmetro, onde a partir desta variável poderemos realizar as estimativas, principalmente em volume, que também podem ser obtidas pelo estudo dos anéis de crescimento para todo um ciclo de vida da árvore, além disso, um ciclo de corte e um diâmetro mínimo também poderão ser estabelecidos para espécies. As espécies Cedrela e Hymenaea foram selecionadas, devido a sua importância, ocorrência na área e tradicional exploração para uso da madeira, assim como sua utilização nos estudos com anéis de crescimento. A presente pesquisa objetivou: (i) descrever a anatomia dos anéis de crescimento formados nas árvores de Cedrela e Hymenaea; (ii) estimar a idade pelos anéis de crescimento; (iii) correlacionar o crescimento em diâmetro com as variáveis climáticas locais; (iv) determinar a taxa de crescimento em diâmetro; (v) indicar o diâmetro mínimo e o ciclo de corte utilizando os anéis de crescimento. Para o seu desenvolvimento, foram retiradas amostras da seção transversal do lenho da base das árvores oriundas do plano de manejo florestal Ambé, localizado na Floresta Nacional do Tapajós, em Belterra, PA. No estudo dos anéis de crescimento foram utilizados os softwares Cofecha e Arstan, para análise da mensuração e transformação dos dados de largura em índices, respectivamente, para posterior correlação com as variáveis precipitação e temperatura locais. Para a modelagem do crescimento e indicação do ciclo de corte e diâmetro mínimo foi utilizada a metodogia Growth Oriented Logging (GOL) para o manejo florestal na Amazônia. Para Cedrela os resultados foram: (i) anéis de crescimento tipo semi-porosos e delimitados pelo parênquima marginal; (ii) idade estimada entre 76 a 239 anos; (iii) correlação positiva com o fator precipitação; (iv) taxa de crescimento em diâmetro médio de 0,26 cm.ano-1; (v) o diâmetro mínimo de corte (DMC), considerado o diâmetro ideal para o corte, e o ciclo de corte (CC), passagem média de tempo pelas classes de diâmetro a cada 10 cm, foi de 36,09 cm e 18 anos, respectivamente, com idade de 64 anos ao atingir o DMC. Para Hymenaea os resultados foram: (i) anéis de crescimento delimitados pelo parênquima marginal; (ii) idade estimada entre 125 a 296 anos; (iii) correlação positiva com o fator precipitação; (iv) taxa de crescimento em diâmetro médio de 0,35 cm.ano-1; (v) o diâmetro mínimo de corte (DMC), considerado o diâmetro ideal para o corte, e o ciclo de corte (CC), passagem média de tempo pelas classes de diâmetro a cada 10 cm, foi de 56,84 cm e 19 anos, respectivamente, com idade de 110 anos ao atingir o DMC. / The growth of the trees is an information of great importance for management, mainly in diameter, in which from this variable we can make the estimates, mainly in volume, that can also be obtained by the study of the rings of growth for a whole cycle of tree life, in addition, cut cycle and minimum diameter can also be established for species. The species Cedrela and Hymenaea were selected due to their importance, occurrence in the area and traditional exploitation for wood use, as well as their use in studies with growth rings. The present research aimed to: (i) describe the anatomy of the growth rings formed in Cedrela and Hymenaea trees; (ii) estimating age by growth rings; (iii) correlate growth in diameter with local climatic variables; (iv) determine the rate of growth in diameter; (v) indicate the minimum diameter and the cutting cycle using the growth rings. For its development, samples were taken from the cross section of the wood from the base of the trees from the Ambe forest management plan, located in the Tapajós National Forest in Belterra, PA. In the study of the growth rings, the software Cofecha and Arstan were used for analysis of the measurement and transformation of the width data into indices, respectively, for later correlation with local precipitation and temperature variables. For growth modeling and indication of the cutting cycle and minimum diameter, the Growth Oriented Logging (GOL) methodology for forest management in the Amazon was used. For Cedrela the results were: (i) semi-porous growth rings delimited by marginal parenchyma bands; (ii) estimated age between 76 and 239 years; (iii) positive correlation with the precipitation factor; (iv) growth rate in mean diameter of 0.26 cm.year-1; (v) the minimum diameter of logging (MLD), considered the ideal diameter for logging, and the cutting cycle (CC), mean time passing through diameter classes every 10 cm, was 36.09 cm and 18 years, respectively, at the age of 64 years on reaching MLD. For Hymenaea the results were: (i) growth rings delimited by marginal parenchyma bands; (ii) estimated age between 125 and 296 years; (iii) positive correlation with the precipitation factor; (iv) growth rate in mean diameter of 0.35 cm.year-1; (v) the minimum logging diameter (MDL), considered the ideal diameter for logging, and the cutting cycle (CC), mean time passing through diameter classes every 10 cm, was 56.84 cm and 19 years, respectively, aged 110 years on reaching MLD.

Introdução e objetivos Apesar de ser um importante componente estrutural de florestas tropicais e causar impactos na dinâmica e funcionamento destas florestas, pouco se sabe sobre a sazonalidade do crescimento de lianas em seu ambiente natural. Lianas ainda possuem uma rica diversidade de arranjos de tecidos vasculares em seus caules devido à presença de variações cambiais. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a sazonalidade da atividade cambial e da diferenciação do xilema de três espécies de lianas pertencentes a famílias com maior diversidade do hábito nos neotrópicos e com diferentes configurações em seus sistemas vasculares caulinares, Stizophyllum riparium (Bignoniaceae), Dalbergia frutescens (Leguminosae) e Serjania laruotteana (Sapindaceae), bem como verificar se há relação entre a sazonalidade da atividade cambial e a sazonalidade da pluviosidade; e se há a formação de camadas de crescimento anuais no xilema. Métodos A sazonalidade da atividade cambial e da diferenciação do xilema foi estudada através de coletas periódicas de porções caulinares ao longo de um ano, correlacionando-se esses dados com a pluviosidade. Resultados As três espécies apresentaram sazonalidade nas suas atividades cambiais, correlacionada com a pluviosidade. S. riparium e D. frutescens apresentam um período de atividade cambial de cerca de seis meses, com início no pico do período chuvoso, e um período de dormência no resto do ano. S. laruotteana apresenta atividade cambial contínua ao longo do ano, com um pico de atividade relacionado com o período chuvoso. O câmbio não apresenta atividade contínua por toda sua extensão nas três espécies, sendo que as variações cambiais de S. riparium e S. laruotteana tem grande influência, respectivamente, sobre as regiões onde a atividade cambial se inicia e tem maior intensidade. Camadas de crescimento anuais são formadas no xilema secundário de S. riparium e S. laruotteana. Quando a atividade cambial não se estende por toda circunferência do caule, camadas de crescimento confluentes são formadas. Conclusões A espécies apresentam sazonalidade na atividade cambial correlacionada com a pluviosidade. Entretanto, os diferentes padrões de atividade cambial encontrados são espécie-específicos, e não podem ser explicados apenas pela pluviosidade / Background and aims Although being an important structural component of tropical forests and cause impacts on the dynamics and function of these forests, little is known about the growth seasonality of lianas growing in its natural environment. Lianas also present huge secondary vascular tissue diversity in its stems due the presence of cambial variation. In this context, the aim of the present work is to analyze the cambial activity seasonality of three liana species belonging to the most diverse liana families in the Neotropics, and which presents different patterns of vascular system configurations in their stems, Stizophyllum riparium (Bignoniaceae), Dalbergia frutescens (Legumosae), and Serjania laruotteana (Sapindaceae), and also verify possible correlations between the cambial activity and the pluviosity, and if there are formation of annual growth rings in the species xylem. Methods The seasonality of cambial activity and differentiation of xylem was studied by periodic collecting stem portions over a year, correlating this data with the rainfall. Key results The three species showed seasonality in their cambial activities, correlated with rainfall. S. riparium and D. frutescens have a period of cambial activity of about six months, beginning at the peak of the rainy season, and a period of dormancy during the rest of the year. S. laruotteana has a continuous cambial activity throughout the year, with a peak of activity related to the rainy season. The cambium does not present continuous activity throughout its circumference in the three species, and in S. riparium and S. laruotteana the cambial variants have a great influence on the regions where cambial activity starts and it has a greater intensity, respectively. Annual growth layers are formed in the secondary xylem of S. riparium and S. laruotteana. When the cambial activity does not extend throughout the circumference of the stem, confluent growth layers are formed. Conclusions The species show seasonality in cambial activity correlated with rainfall. However, the different patterns of cambial activity found are species-specific, and can not be explained only by rainfall

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-03-24T18:49:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissertacaoGianeINiderauer.pdf: 4504038 bytes, checksum: c909b35b56b6c4307e28d588aa4527a0 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-24T18:49:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissertacaoGianeINiderauer.pdf: 4504038 bytes, checksum: c909b35b56b6c4307e28d588aa4527a0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-06-27 / Banco Santander / Banespa / O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido no Centro de Pesquisas e Conservação da Natureza (Prómata), localizado no município de São Francisco de Paula (29º28?S; 50º13?W), a nordeste do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, em área de Floresta Ombrófila Mista e Mosaicos de Campos, com objetivo de avaliar a existência de sinais históricos do avanço da floresta com base na estrutura etária e no desempenho de crescimento de Araucaria angustifolia, em um gradiente floresta-campo. A Araucaria angustifolia é uma espécie que apresenta anéis de crescimento anuais bem definidos é indicada para estudos dendrocronologicos. Neste sentido, foram selecionados 21 pontos amostrais em uma área aproximada de 25 ha, selecionados aleatoriamente em três níveis de distâncias: pontos em floresta a mais de 50 m de distância da borda mais próxima, (2) pontos em floresta ou campo a até 50 m de distância da borda mais próxima e (3) pontos em campo com mais de 50 m de distância da borda. Para análises dendrocronologicas, em cada ponto foi selecionado um indivíduo por classe de diâmetro à altura do peito para coleta de duas a quatro amostras de lenho com trado de incremento. Em laboratório às amostras foram fixadas em suportes de madeira, polidas com uma série de lixas, e analisadas com auxilio de um estereomicroscópio. Posteriormente, foram realizadas análises de regressão linear e de aleatorização para avaliar como a idade e o crescimento (em diâmetro e altura) dos indivíduos variam em relação à distância da borda floresta-campo. Os resultados mostraram que a estrutura etária e o desempenho de crescimento de A. angustifolia variavam ao longo do gradiente floresta-campo. A idade das A. angustifolia variou de 12 a 106 anos, decrescendo do interior da floresta para o interior do campo, a posição das árvores explicou 15 % da variação etária (P=0,0823). A idade teve influência no tamanho das árvores, explicando 43 % da variação do diâmetro do tronco (P=0,001) e 12 % da variação da altura viii (P=0,114). Conclui-se que, a estrutura etária e crescimento em altura da A. angustifolia variam no gradiente floresta-campo. / This work was developed at the Centro de Pesquisas e Conservação da Natureza (Pró-Mata), located in the municipality of São Francisco de Paula (29º28’S; 50º13’W), the northeastern of Estado Rio Grande do Sul, in a forest-grassland mosaic habitat. Vê of this study was to evaluate for signs of historical advancement of Forest based on age structure and growth performance of Araucaria angustifolia in a forest-grassland gradient. The Araucaria angustifolia is a species to present annual growth rings well defined is indicated for dendrochronological studies. In this sense, we selected 21 sample points in area of approximately 25 ha, randomly selected from three levels of distances. (1) points in the forest more than 50 m away from the nearest edge, (2) points in the forest or grassland up 50 m away from the nearest adge and (3) points on the grassland with more than 50 m away edge. To dendrochronological analyzes, at each point was selected for individual class diameter at breast height to collect two to four samples of wood with increment borer. Age had influence on tree size, explaining 43% of the variation of stem diameter (P= 0.001) and 12 % of the variation in height (P= 0.114). It was concluded that the structure age and height growth of A. angustifolia vary in forest-grassland gradient. In the laboratorio samples were fixed on a Wood France and polished with a series of sandpapers, and analyzed with help of a stereomicroscope. Later, we performed linear regression analyzes and randomization to assess how the age and growth (height and diameter) individuals vary in distance from the forest-grassland edge. The results showed that the age structure and growth performance of A. angustifolia varied along the gradient forest-grassland. Age of A. angustifolia ranged from 12 to 106 years, decresing from the interior of the forest for the interior grassland, the position of the trees 15 % of variance explained group (P= 0.0823). Age had influence on tree size, explaining 43% of the variation of stem diameter (P= 0.001) and 12 % of the x variation in height (P= 0.114). It was concluded that the structure age and height growth of A. angustifolia vary in forest-grassland gradient.

Submitted by Maicon Juliano Schmidt (maicons) on 2015-03-30T16:34:19Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Flávio de Oliveira.pdf: 59121113 bytes, checksum: 548624d08cfeb51338d7dab383840abf (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-30T16:34:19Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Flávio de Oliveira.pdf: 59121113 bytes, checksum: 548624d08cfeb51338d7dab383840abf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014-01-31 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Em regiões de clima tropical, espécies de árvores formam anéis de crescimento em resposta à sazonalidade de fatores ambientais que influenciam a atividade do câmbio vascular. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo, avaliar a existência e estrutura anatômica macroscópica de camadas de crescimento de espécies arbustivas e arbóreas, em um ecótono campo - florestas do sul do Brasil. O trabalho foi desenvolvido no Centro de Pesquisas e Conservação da Natureza (CPCN) Pró-Mata, no município de São Francisco de Paula/RS, representando o ecótono campo-floresta que ocorre na região do Planalto das Araucárias. Foram coletadas amostras de 41 espécies vegetais em área de campo e floresta, que foram extraídas com auxílio de serra manual para extração de discos de madeira e uso de trado de incremento, para retirada de pequenas amostras de madeira em secções transversais. As amostras foram coladas em suportes de madeira, lixadas e polidas em diferentes granulometria (80-600 grãos) para melhor visualização das características anatômicas do lenho. Imagens do lenho foram capturadas em diferentes aumentos com auxílio de câmera fotográfica acoplada em estereomicroscópio. O exame anatômico das amostras de madeira retiradas dos vegetais possibilitou visualizar e caracterizar as camadas de crescimento das espécies estudadas. Entre as espécies analisadas, 19 apresentaram camadas de crescimento distintas, 9 com camadas de crescimento pouco distintas e 13 com camadas indistintas. Para as espécies que apresentaram camadas de crescimento, a maioria teve o limite das camadas demarcado pela maior espessura da parede das fibras. Através do estudo anatômico da madeira das amostras analisadas, foi possível identificar que as espécies representantes das famílias Lauraceae e Fabaceae estudadas, formam camadas de crescimento distintas de boa visualização, apontando a região como relevante potencial para estudos dendrocronológicos. / In tropical regions, species of tree growth rings form in response to seasonal environmental factors that influence the activity of the vascular cambium. This study aimed to evaluate the existence and gross anatomical structure of the growth layers shrub and tree species in a field ecotone and forest of Southern Brazil. The work was developed in the Centro de Pesquisa e Conservação da Natureza (CPCN) Pró-Mata, in the municipality of São Francisco de Paula/RS, representing the forest-field ecotone occurring in the Araucaria Plateau region. Samples of 41 species were collected in the field and forest, which were extacted with the aid of a manual saw for extracting wood disc and using incremen borer, to remove small samples of cross sections. The samples were glued on a wood frame, sanded and polished in diferente particle size (80-600 grains) for better visualization of the anatomical characteristics of the wood. Images were captured in fifferent wood increases with aid câmera coupled with a stereomicroscope. The anatomical examination of wood taken from the plant enabled to view and characterize layers of growth of the species sudied. Amond the species analyzed, 19 showed distinct growth layers, 9 layers distinshable with difficulty and 13 layers with indistinct growth. For species that showed growth layers, most had demarcated the boundary layers of the thickness of the fibers. For species that showed growth layers, most há demarcated the boundary layers of the thickness of the fibers. Through anatomical study of wood samples analyzed, we found that the species representatives of the families Lauraceae and Fabaceae studied, forming layers of distinct growth good view, pointing to the region as a relevant potential for dendrochronological studies.

<p>Southern Africa harbours one-third of the world&rsquo / s Testudinid species, many of which inhabit arid or semi-arid areas, but ecological information on these species is scant. I studied the habitat, morphology and ecology of Kalahari tent tortoises over 13 months in semi-arid Savanna at Benfontein farm, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. In order to allow continuous monitoring of individuals, I attached radiotransmitters to males and females, split equally between two habitats, sites E (east) and W (west), with apparent differences in vegetation structure. Results of the study were based on data obtained from 27 telemetered tortoises and 161 individuals encountered opportunistically. Female Kalahari tent tortoises were larger than males and the sex ratio did not differ from 1:1. Based on person-hours to capture tortoises, the population appeared to have a low density, with more time required to capture a juvenile (35 hours) than an adult (10-11 hours). The frequency distribution of body size ranges was indicative of recruitment. Relative age, based on annuli counts, suggested that males were younger than females, perhaps because males as the smaller sex are more predation-prone than females. Linear relationships between annuli counts and shell volume indicated that, after reaching sexual maturity, female body size increased faster in volume than did male body size, possibly because a larger volume may enhance female reproductive success. Body condition differed between sites, sexes and among seasons. The hot and dry summer may account for low summer body condition, whereas vegetation differences and size effects, respectively, may account for the low body condition of tortoises in site W and in males. Site E was sandy with grasses, particularly Schmidtia pappophoroides, being the prevalent growth form. This habitat resembled a Savanna vegetation type Schmidtia pappophoroides &ndash / Acacia erioloba described for a neighbouring reserve. Site W was stonier, dominated by shrubs, and was reminiscent of Northern Upper Karoo vegetation (NKu3). Neither site resembled Kimberley Thornveld (SVk4), the designated vegetation type of the area. Differences in substrate and grazing intensity may have contributed to site vegetation differences. Rainfall had an important influence on seasonal vegetation. Short grass abundance correlated with rainfall and annual plants sprouted after spring rain. Refuge use changed according to season and sex. Males selected denser refuges than females did, perhaps because males were smaller and more vulnerable to predation and solar heat. Tortoises selected sparse, short grass as refuges in cool months, probably to maximise basking whilst remaining in protective cover. During hot periods, mammal burrows were preferred to vegetation as refugia. The smaller males spent more time in cover than females, which may be related to predator avoidance or thermoregulation.&nbsp / Females spent more time basking than males, perhaps due to their larger size and to facilitate reproductive processes. Tortoises did not brumate, but through a combination of basking, and orientation relative to the sun in their refuges, managed to attain body temperatures that allowed small bouts of activity. Body temperature for active tortoises was similar among seasons, and was higher for more specialised active behaviours, such as feeding and socialising, than for walking. Increased activity by males in spring could relate to mating behaviour while females were more active in autumn, when they foraged more than males, perhaps due to the high cost of seasonal reproductive requirements. Males displaced further per day than did females, but home range estimates did not differ between sexes. Annual home range estimates varied substantially among individuals: 0.7&ndash / 306 ha for minimum convex polygons and 0.7&ndash / 181 ha for 95% fixed kernel estimates. The ability to&nbsp / cover large areas would assist tortoises in finding resources, e.g., food, in an area where resource distribution may be patchy. Differences among seasonal home ranges and movements probably reflect seasonal climatic change / activity areas shrinking when temperatures were extreme. In order to assess the effects of a semi-arid environment on the morphology of P. oculifer, I compared its morphology to that of its &lsquo / cool-adapted&rsquo / sister taxon Psammobates geometricus, using live and museum specimens. Both P. oculifer and P. geometricus are sexually dimorphic and differences between the two species could indicate environmental or sexual selection effects, or a combination of the two. The shorter bridge length, which allowed more leg space, and wider front feet in P. oculifer cohorts probably represent traits for manoeuvring in a sandy habitat, while wider heads in P. oculifer possibly relate to interspecific differences in diet. The flatter shell in female P. oculifer, relative to P. geometricus, may represent a trade-off between space for reproductive structures, e.g., eggs, and the need to fit into small refuges, e.g., mammal burrows. Male P. oculifer had wider shells, more space around their hind legs, and wider hind feet than P. geometricus males had, all characteristics which may assist males to fight and mate in a sandy environment.</p>