Sebastien Caron - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Sebastien Caron

ABSTRACTBehavioural studies are more an more implicated in species conservation. Determining indi... more ABSTRACTBehavioural studies are more an more implicated in species conservation. Determining individuals personality in the case of reintroduction operations may be very useful. Actually, indiviuals temperament may be associated to their dispersal capacities and their habilities to adapt to novel environments. Considered as asociable species, few studies have been conducted on reptiles and this is even worse in the case of endangered species. Hermann tortoise, Testudo hermanni, an endemic species from Mediterranean region is endangered because of the lost and modification of its habitats. Before conducting reintroduction actions it is important to have more information on individuals personality traits. We have tested the reaction of three groups of tortoises (domestic, wild and from the SOPTOM center) when confronted to a novel environment and to human presence. The aim was to discriminate individuals with « bold » and « shy » behaviours. Behavioural profiles are different between ...

Two types of pathogens cause highly contagious upper respiratory tract diseases (URTD) in Cheloni... more Two types of pathogens cause highly contagious upper respiratory tract diseases (URTD) in Chelonians: testudinid herpesviruses (TeHV) and a mycoplasma (Mycoplasma agassizii). In captivity, these infections are frequent and can provoke outbreaks. Pet trade generates international flow of tortoises, often without sanitary checking; individuals intentionally or accidentally released in the wild may spread pathogens. A better understanding of the transmission of infectious agents from captivity to wild tortoises is needed. Many exotic individuals have been introduced in populations of the endangered western Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni), notably spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca). We assessed the presence of TeHV and mycoplasma in native western Hermann's tortoises and in potential pet vectors in south-eastern France. Using a large sample (N=572 tortoises), this study revealed the worrying prese...

Peer Community Journal, 2022

This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. First detection of h... more This article is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License. First detection of herpesvirus and prevalence of mycoplasma infection in free-ranging Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni), and in potential pet vectors

Snakes are useful in ecosystem surveys as they can act as environmental indicators and can be mod... more Snakes are useful in ecosystem surveys as they can act as environmental indicators and can be model organisms to address conservation and fundamental issues. However, researchers and managers — 24 — rarely focus on these unpopular organisms. In 2012, we initiated a Capture-Mark-Recapture study of two Mediterranean snakes on Port-Cros and Porquerolles Island to redress this taxonomic bias and to improve current knowledge of these species. We set up a network of fibrocement slabs to facilitate the capture of the snakes. During a 3 year survey, we marked a total of 174 individuals, predominantly Malpolon monspessulanus (n = 125). Although capture numbers on each island were similar, snake density is likely to be different. Many very large individuals of both species were observed on both islands. Encouragingly, the recapture rate was 20 % and 15 % for M. monspessulanus and Rhinechis scalaris respectively, demonstrating the effectiveness of the study method. We also collected the first ...

Translocations are important tools to mitigate anthropogenic impacts on threatened populations. H... more Translocations are important tools to mitigate anthropogenic impacts on threatened populations. However they generally suffer from a lack of feed-back; the success of translocations and methodological improvements cannot be evaluated. In 2013, we translocated 24 Hermann’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni hermanni) into a host population impacted by fire but characterized by favorable habitats. Translocated individuals originating from rescue operations were hard-released in spring (N=12) and in autumn (N=12) and radio-tracked. We also radio-tracked individuals from the host population (N=20) and from another control population (N=11). All tortoises were intensively monitored during three years; more than 11,000 fixes enabled us to precisely describe and compare movement patterns. Translocated tortoises first dispersed from the release sites into apparently random directions, sometimes crossing unfavorable surrounding habitats, and then settled into remote favorable places. This process u...

Http Www Theses Fr, 2004

Reflexion malgre elle sur le moment historique et donc veritable antenne des courants soci-cultur... more Reflexion malgre elle sur le moment historique et donc veritable antenne des courants soci-culturels, la publicite propose une lisibilite du "sens" de la realite sociale des identites sexuelles. A partir d'un corpus d'annonces publicitaires de mode et de parfums mixtes, notre interrogation porte sur l'opportunite de reconnaitre aujourd'hui l'existence sociale d'un modele "androgyne", dont l'avenement est le signe de la convergence des identites, des statuts et des roles des individus des deux sexes. Plus largement, l'espace de la modernite considere comme totalite symbolique, revele pele-mele : le deferlement d'"Eros" et de "Narcisse" sur notre societe dont l'esprit fin-de-siecle tarde a s'estomper. Par ailleurs, la generalisation de l'errance sexuelle favorise d'une part un brouillage identitaire encourage par une volonte d'etre un "autre", d'autre part un developpement de la "maladie de l'infini", plus connue sous le nom d'anomie, qui semble annoncer une re-creation future de l'espace social.

L'auteur tient à remercier et à exprimer toute sa reconnaissance à son directeur d'essai de docto... more L'auteur tient à remercier et à exprimer toute sa reconnaissance à son directeur d'essai de doctorat pour ses précieux conseils et pour son soutien. Par la richesse de ses connaissances théoriques ainsi que sa grande expérience dans le domaine de la psychopathologie, monsieur Richard Bould (Ph. D.) a su stimuler l'intérêt de l'auteur à fournir des renseignements sur la schizophrénie et ainsi procéder à la réalisation de cet ouvrage. L'auteur tient également à remercier madame Solange Boisvert (responsable du volet clinico-administratif de la clinique externe de psychiatrie) du Centre de Santé et de Services Sociaux de l'Énergie (CSSSE), site Ste-Thérèse, pour sa grande collaboration dans l'acquisition du matériel didactique des différents programmes de groupe offerts auprès d'une clientèle atteinte de schizophrénie. De plus, l'auteur exprime son plus grand respect à chacune des personnes aux prises avec cette maladie, à leurs familles et amIS. Finalement, l'auteur souhaite offrir l'accomplissement de cet ouvrage à toute personne qui aimerait mieux comprendre la maladie et connaître les différents traitements psychosociaux disponibles.

The study is performed in two independent sites: "Callas" (habitat opening), and "... more The study is performed in two independent sites: "Callas" (habitat opening), and "Redon" (water ponds). An experimental design has been set up (using replicates and control sites). More than 40 tortoises have been radio-tracked each year in 2010 and 2011 before and after management experiment. The expected outcome of successful field managements could be: a reduction of home range indicating a greater quality of the habitat, especially for females; easier thermoregulation profiles especially during constraining weather (cool, cloudy or hot), lower baseline stress levels... -Populations of Hermann's tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni), a rare and endangered species of Western Europe, are declining over the entire distribution range, especially in southern France. -The modification of the habitat and its destruction are the main factor of the decline. -The maintenance of the species depends on the persistence of a mosaic of micro-habitats for thermoregulation ...

La translocation est une technique couramment utilisée dans la biologie de la conservation. Pourt... more La translocation est une technique couramment utilisée dans la biologie de la conservation. Pourtant, le succès de nombreuses translocations reste incertain en raison d’un manque d’homogénéisation des méthodologies et de présentation des résultats. Les difficultés rencontrées lors de tels projets sont nombreuses et diffèrent selon les groupes/espèces considérés. Par exemple, les Chéloniens ont la capacité d’effectuer de long déplacement de « homing » pour retourner sur leur site originel. Ainsi, pour assurer la sédentarisation des animaux transloqués et améliorer leur survie, une période d’acclimatation pourrait être favorable. Dans le cadre du Programme LIFE+ Tortue d’Hermann, nous allons évaluer expérimentalement les effets de l’acclimatation et de la saison de libération des individus sur les succès à cours, moyen et long terme de la translocation de Tortue d’Hermann, Testudo hermanni (2012-2015). Deux sites favorables à ce type d’expérience, anciennement incendiés et renfermant ...

Is the antipredator behaviour of the Hermann’s tortoise, Testudo hermanni hermanni Gmelin, 1789, ... more Is the antipredator behaviour of the Hermann’s tortoise, Testudo hermanni hermanni Gmelin, 1789, changed after a long period in semi-captivity? Maintaining wild individuals in captivity prior to their release in natural habitats may reduce antipredation behaviour. This could seriously compromise any rehabilitation project. We evaluated the defence behaviour of wild Hermann’s tortoise (Testudo hermanni hermanni) kept in semi-captivity (two to eight years) prior to their release into the wild. We compared behaviour of tortoises confronted to human approach and handling with captive and wild animals. Withdrawing behaviour frequencies are similar between the semi-captivity and the wild tortoises while this behaviour was very uncommon for the captive ones. Promisingly, semi-captivity conditions do not significantly impact the main tortoise antipredator behaviour. In the future, it will be important to explore the mechanisms that reduce antipredator behaviour of captive tortoises and to s...

This guide seeks to provide practical tips to anyone involved in activities in rural areas, allow... more This guide seeks to provide practical tips to anyone involved in activities in rural areas, allowing them to preserve the habitat of the tortoise, so as to ensure its continued presence. This booklet, the fruit of several years co-operation between scientists and managers of natural habitats, and written to conclude the European “Life+ Hermann’s tortoise” programme, is aimed at all those who wish to actively contribute to the preservation of Hermann’s tortoise in the natural or agricultural areas it inhabits. It is too often considered by the public as a pet, not to say an object. But it is first and foremost a wild animal, whose territory can extend over several hectares, frequenting various types of habitat from hour to hour and from season to season. Although it is a robust animal, with origins going back to the time of the dinosaurs, its adaptability is no longer adequate to the rapid changes human activity has on its environment: today, maintaining a tortoise population in our ...

international workshop on the management and restoration of Hermann's tortoise populations an... more international workshop on the management and restoration of Hermann's tortoise populations and habitats" are published in the framework of the LIFE project number LIFE 08NAT/F/000475 "Toward an integrative management in favour of the terrestrial tortoises in Var – Creating tools for the managers of natural habitats in Europe" By the Station d'Observation et de Protection des Tortues et de leurs Milieux (SOPTOM) Chelonii®is a journal published by SOPTOM, with an editing committee, to promote and develop information on chelonians and their conservation. This scientific publication includes congress proceedings, monographs, synthesized documents and papers. Half of the journal will deal with chelonians from the European and Mediterranean region and French-speaking countries. However, the journal is open to unusual texts by all chelonians specialists. It is supervised by the SOPTOM's scientific administrator with the assistance of scientific counselors for eac...

European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2014

Survival, reproductive and recruitment rates, along with health status, of translocated and resid... more Survival, reproductive and recruitment rates, along with health status, of translocated and resident individuals should be evaluated. However, gathering this information poses logistical constraints and requires long-term studies. Considering the urgent nature of many species' situations where translocation would be appropriate, fast-assessment techniques should be tested. We assessed the immediate response to translocation of Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni hermanni) directly from captivity to the wild. Individuals were maintained in captivity 2 to 8 years before being released in spring 2013 into a natural population impacted by fire. During the critical 3 months post-release period, we radio-tracked translocated individuals (N=12) and resident tortoises in spring 2013 (N=14), plus another batch of resident tortoises in spring 2012 (N=9). Movements, behaviours, body condition and body temperature were regularly recorded. All translocated tortoises acclimated well to their novel environment. We found no differences in movement, thermoregulation and body condition between translocated and resident tortoises. Body condition of all tortoises increased rapidly in spring. We found no sign of perturbation in resident tortoises. Contrarily, resident males mated with translocated females. Translocations should be further tested on larger spatial and time scales to improve population restoration programmes, especially in threatened species with limited dispersal ability.

Conservation Physiology, 2014

In Mediterranean regions, fires threaten terrestrial tortoises. Nevertheless, varying proportions... more In Mediterranean regions, fires threaten terrestrial tortoises. Nevertheless, varying proportions of adults survive fire; these surviving individuals can play a central role for population recovery. The regions devastated by fire often include important habitat of Hermann's tortoises (Testudo hermanni hermanni), so assessing the ability of survivors to persist is essential for conserving the species. Body-condition indices provide an integrative estimate of how well individuals cope with environmental variations and impacts, including fires. Between 2002 and 2009, we monitored Hermann's tortoises in intact and burnt habitats in southeastern France. In summer 2003, a strong fire ravaged half of the surveyed zone, providing an opportunity to compare body condition of tortoises between intact and burnt areas over time. Six years later, the impact of fire on vegetation was still marked; large trees were abundant in the intact area, whereas open shrub vegetation prevailed in the burnt area. In both areas, the mean body condition of tortoises fluctuated over time; however, there were no differences between the two areas. A radio-tracking experiment demonstrated that individuals from each area were residents, and not vagrants commuting between areas. We also assessed changes in body condition and microhabitat use in radio-tracked individuals. We found no significant differences between the tortoises living in the burnt and intact areas, despite subtle differences in habitat use. In conclusion: (i) surviving tortoises in an area ravaged by fire can maintain their body condition like individuals living in an intact area, and thus, individuals from burnt areas should not be translocated to supposedly better areas; and (ii) depopulated burnt areas are likely to be appropriate for population-augmentation programmes.

All tortoise species face strong decline, especially in Mediterranean areas. The Hermann tortoise... more All tortoise species face strong decline, especially in Mediterranean areas. The Hermann tortoise (Testudo hermanni) notably is critically endangered in Western Europe. In France, this species subsist in the South Est where small patchy populations are particularly vulnerable due to habitat destruction mainly. Throughout a conservation Life+ Program (2010-2014) we evaluated the effect of habitat managements thanks to the physiological survey of radiotracked tortoises during 2 years. Glucocorticoides (Corticosterone) which is a useful tool to assess the effect of habitat change on organism is also the main mediators of allostasis. There are linked to environmental parameters which vary with season and are also linked to reproduction. In order to better assess conservation management, we measured variation of stress hormone in association with variation of other biological parameters like plasma metabolite and behavioral variation and body condition (BCI). We found no effect of habita...

Peer Community Journal, 2022

Http Www Theses Fr, 2004

European Journal of Wildlife Research, 2014

Conservation Physiology, 2014