Mojave Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) morphometrics and egg data from seven sites across the Mojave, (1997-2002)

These data were acquired from 7 study sites distributed across the range of Gopherus agassizii. Data were collected from 1997 to 2002 as part of three separate studies, although data were not collected at all sites in each year. Radio-transmitters were attached to the carapace of 151 females and VHF radio-telemetry was used to relocate animals to assess reproductive status. Egg production was determined from X-radiographs taken weekly/biweekly intervals (depending on the study) using a portable X-ray machine between April and July or August of each year. In addition, the mean carapace length (MCL) of each tortoise was measured at each time of capture or recapture using calipers (mm). A nesting event was recorded if a female previously observed with eggs was observed without eggs during a subsequent X-ray session.

Data and Resources

Field Value
accessLevel public
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identifier USGS:6112bf2fd34ed11898f70454
metadata_type geospatial
modified 20211001
old-spatial -116.7847, 32.0640, -112.8955, 37.9788
publisher U.S. Geological Survey
publisher_hierarchy Department of the Interior > U.S. Geological Survey
resource-type Dataset
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theme {geospatial}
Groups
  • AmeriGEOSS
  • National Provider
  • North America
Tags
  • amerigeo
  • amerigeoss
  • area-31
  • biological-production
  • biota
  • bird-spring-valley
  • body-size
  • california
  • ckan
  • climate-change
  • climatic-variability
  • climatic-variation
  • clutch-size
  • ecology
  • ecosystem-functions
  • eggs
  • environmental-effects
  • environmental-variables
  • field-inventory-and-monitoring
  • geo
  • geoss
  • gopherus-agassizii
  • lake-mead-national-recreation-area
  • mojave-desert
  • mojave-desert-tortoise
  • mojave-national-preserve
  • national
  • nevada
  • north-america
  • pahcoon-flat
  • piute-valley
  • radiography
  • redcliffs
  • reproduction
  • reproductive-output
  • reproductive-status
  • reptiles
  • sandstone-mountain
  • size
  • tortoises
  • total-annual-egg-production
  • united-states
  • usgs-6112bf2fd34ed11898f70454
  • utah
  • wildlife
  • wildlife-biology
  • x-radiography
isopen False
license_id notspecified
license_title License not specified
maintainer U.S. Geological Survey, Western Ecological Research Center
maintainer_email gs-b-werc_data_management@usgs.gov
metadata_created 2025-11-21T19:28:11.581835
metadata_modified 2025-11-21T19:28:11.581839
notes These data were acquired from 7 study sites distributed across the range of Gopherus agassizii. Data were collected from 1997 to 2002 as part of three separate studies, although data were not collected at all sites in each year. Radio-transmitters were attached to the carapace of 151 females and VHF radio-telemetry was used to relocate animals to assess reproductive status. Egg production was determined from X-radiographs taken weekly/biweekly intervals (depending on the study) using a portable X-ray machine between April and July or August of each year. In addition, the mean carapace length (MCL) of each tortoise was measured at each time of capture or recapture using calipers (mm). A nesting event was recorded if a female previously observed with eggs was observed without eggs during a subsequent X-ray session.
num_resources 2
num_tags 47
title Mojave Desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) morphometrics and egg data from seven sites across the Mojave, (1997-2002)