9403039 Mushinsky This U.S.-Mexico award will fund a workshop on North American tortoises, to be held in the Mapimi Biosphere Preserve, Durango, Mexico in October, 1994. Organizers are Dr. Henry Mushinsky, University of South Florida, and Dr. Gustavo Aguirre, Instituto de Ecologia, Durango, Mexico. The purpose of the workshop is to exchange information about recent advances in the understanding of the biology and current management practices for the four species of North American tortoises. The exchange of information will be needed to protect existing populations, and re-establish populations in areas formerly occupied by the tortoises. The rate of decline of all four North American species of tortoises has increased over the last 30 years. The continuing loss and fragmentation of their habitats by human activities, with the consequent demographic and behavioral modifications caused by these changes, may bring stress induced diseases and push the species closer to extinction. Lack of a unified approach to address the problems has slowed progress of the conservation effort. The workshop will bring together individuals actively participating in research in this area with the purpose of increasing research collaboration that, ultimately, will help to support and strengthen current conservation efforts. ***
