CHANGES IN BODY WEIGHT AND MORPHOMETRIC DURING VARYING GROWTH PHASES OF FRESHWATER TORTOISE (GEOCHELONE NIGRA) IN INTENSIVE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

Purpose: In the Agriculture industry, tortoises may not have a great commercial value compared with chicken and hoofed mammals; nevertheless, they have a substantial economic value for food, medicine, and ecological services. The empirical work was conducted at the Departmental Research Center (DRC), to investigate the impact of growth phases on body weight (BW) and morphometrics of different age groups. Design/ Methodology/ Approach: Eighty freshwater tortoises of 4 age groups (20 hatchlings, 20 juveniles, 20 sub-adults and 20 adults) were obtained from the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife in Nigeria. A deep litter housing system was used for the present study. Tortoises were fed with cooked meat, concentrate, fermented cassava, and palm fruits. Findings: The mean BW ranged from 41.00g - 848.00g. The result revealed that the mean BW of the tortoise value (503g). The Coefficient of Variance (CV) of morphometrics ranged from 9.73% - 15.63%. The straight carapace length (SCL) had a higher CV value (15.63%), followed by plastron length (PL) (12.90%) and least value (9.73%) for carapace width (CW). There was a huge difference in all the morphometrics except SCL and CW for sub-adult and adult tortoises. The result revealed that SCL, CW, PL and plastron width (PW) differed distinctly from BW. The correlation coefficient of BW and morphometric of juvenile growth phase (JGP) and sub-adult phase (SAGP) ranged from (0.326 - 0.964) and (0.275 - 0.953) respectively. Research Limitation/Implications: This research focused on Nigeria's availability and sustainability of freshwater tortoises. Practical Implication: This paper has potential implications for understanding the management and improvement of the freshwater tortoise in Nigeria. Social Implication: This study will enhance the availability and development of freshwater tortoise for policy-makers in addressing sustainable food security through social, economic and environmental stability for the present and future generations. Originality/Value: This study is based on the data collected on body weight and morphometric traits during growth phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]