Why do so many Greek sub-species need identified?

[Yellow Turtle01]

Okay, so even though I don't own one, I like browsing this forum, just for fun, and I always see many greek torts needing identification! Why so? Are they so similar incolor and characteristics that it's hard to tell everyone apart?
Or, are there just more greek subspecies? OR (again ) is there just a more diverse population of different greek torts for the pet trade?
Thank you!

 

[Iochroma]

The species is probably better thought of as a "complex"; it has a vast range, and sub-types that are distinct. Many have been proposed as full species, but the most recent molecular genetic analysis of the group is inconclusive about separating any population as a clearly definable species.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

So what is the one, main, 'species' of greek? There has to be one they all stemmed off from?

 

[Iochroma]

I have been reading quite a few papers lately, and I can not recall which form (if any) is considered most basal.

 

[Iochroma]

If you want to read the latest on this try Mashkaryan, et al : http://www.senckenberg.de/files/con...e/mashkaryan_2013_testudo_graeca_caucasus.pdf

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

If you want to read the latest on this try Mashkaryan, et al : http://www.senckenberg.de/files/con...e/mashkaryan_2013_testudo_graeca_caucasus.pdf

I respect your intelligence on the matter! I barely got that!
Thank you, I'm going to need to go back over that

 

[tortadise]

Locroma summed it up rather well. They hold a very large range. Each sub species from European to North African to Eurasian all display different chacteristics. I'm not versed well on testudo so can't really describe the differences. But size, color, and scutes play a large role.

 

[Iochroma]

Sorry, I should have introduced myself at some point - David - Iochroma (with an i ) is one of my favorite plants, and my nickname on many forums.

 

[Yellow Turtle01]

Sorry, I should have introduced myself at some point - David - Iochroma (with an i ) is one of my favorite plants, and my nickname on many forums.

Thank you for the information, I was just assuming greek torts were so 'diverse' was because many species are super popular in the trade
This is a really interesting subject, and could apply to lots of other torts, too... thanks