The forests inhabited by Pyxis planicauda grow on loose sandy soils and the tortoises take refuge amongst the leaf litter of the forest floor. They burrow and are inactive in leaf litter during dry season (late May through October), but become active in the wet season. They are crepuscular and seek shelter during mid-day (Durrell et al. 1989, Rakotombololona 1998, Gibson and Buley 2004). Tortoises feed on fallen fruits such as Breonia perrieri and Aleanthus greveanus. (Glaw and Vences 1994, Gibson and Buley 2004). Fungi and fallen flowers have also been reported as diet items (Goetz et al. 2003).

Adult P. planicauda reach a carapace length of 13.7 cm (Ernst et al. 2000) to 14.8 cm (Pedrono 2008). Based on information from Durrell Wildlife breeding center in northwestern Madagascar females do not reach maturity until ten years of age. Generation time was estimated at the 2008 Madagascar Tortoise and Freswater Turtle workshop as at least 25 years. Mating occurs in the first half of the wet season and females produce 1-3 single egg clutches in the latter half of the wet season (Goetz et al. 2003, Pedrono 2008). Observation of nests in the wild, show incubation periods of 250-340 days (Razandrimamilafiniarivo et al. 2000).

Red List Category

Red List Criteria

Version

2008

Leuteritz, T., Randriamahazo, H. & Lewis, R. (Madagascar Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Red List Workshop)

Rhodin, A. & Mittermeier, R.A. (IUCN SSC Tortoise & Turtle Freshwater Turtle Red List Authority)

Justification

History

• 1996
  Endangered
  (Baillie and Groombridge 1996)
• 1994
  Indeterminate
  (Groombridge 1994)
• 1990
  Indeterminate
  (IUCN 1990)
• 1988
  Indeterminate
  (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1988)
• 1986
  Indeterminate
  (IUCN Conservation Monitoring Centre 1986)
• 1982
  Indeterminate

Based on density estimates, habitat reduction and trade figures it is believed that the total population of P. planicauda is less than 10, 000 animals (Anonymous 2001). Recent surveys yield a calculated total population of over 16,000 animals, but the methodology used requires further data to confirm this number.

Summary of various P. planicauda studies (from CITES AC18 Doc. 7.1, 2002):

1991 - Kirindi - 8 km² surveyed - tortoises encountered on 54 occasions - 6.75 per km², but no data on recaptures — Quentin and Hayes (1991).

1996 - Kirindi - 20 km² / 20,000 ha surveyed - 12 tortoises in 11 days, 83% recapture - 0.6/km2 —
Bloxam et al. (1996).

"main forest block":
- 0.5/ha (50/km²) — Durbin and Randriamanampisoa (2000).
- 2-6/ha (200-600/km²) —- Durbin and Randriamanampisoa (2000, as cited in CITES Proposal 12.55)
- 1/ha (100/km²) — Kuchling in litt. 2001, Rakotombololona (2001 cited in Rakotombololona & Durbin in litt. to SSC Wildlife Trade Programme, 23 Nov 2001)

Decreasing

Pyxis planicauda is exclusively associated with closed-canopy dry forest and its major threat comes from habitat loss, particularly from burning and clearing for agricultural lands/cattle grazing, highway development, mining, and petroleum exploration (Tidd et al. 2001, Goetz et al. 2003, Bonin et al. 2006). Analyses of satellite imagery by Tidd et al. (2001) between 1963 and 1993 showed a 32% reduction in the primary dry forests. Deforestation rates have increased, and up to 50% of the 76,000 ha remaining in the southern portion of the tortoises range may be destroyed before 2010. A 50% reduction in the remaining 73,000 ha of habitat in the northern portion of its known range may occur by 2040 (Tidd et al. 2001), for a combined forest habitat loss estimated at over 70% in the period 1963-2040. Similar deforestation rates were documented by Harper et al. (2007).

Secondary pressure comes from collection for the pet trade (Goetz et al. 2003, Bonin et al. 2006); a pulse of exploitation for pet trade export removed about 4,000 adult animals during 2000 to 2002, representing 20 to 40% of the total number of adults (depending on total population estimates). The reproductive capacity and recruitment potential of this species are particularly low, even by tortoise standards.

The species is not consumed locally or traded locally/regionally.

Population modelling at the 2001 CAMP workshop (CBSG 2001) predicted extinction before 2030 based on rates of habitat loss and pet trade collection then in effect, but legal export trade is no longer permitted and thus the modelling assumptions are no longer valid.

Pyxis planicauda was recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered (CR A3acd + B1b) at the 2001 CAMP workshop (CBSG 2001).

In 2003, P. planicauda was uplisted to CITES Appendix I from Appendix II (in which the tortoise had been listed since 1977; UNEP-WCMC 2007). This is generally perceived to have reduced exploitation of the species. The tortoise is protected nationally by Ordinance No. 60-126 of 3 October 1960, which regulates hunting and fishing and provides for the protection of nature, but the problem is that it is not stated what level of protection this legislation affords to P. planicauda, or how this is enforced (CITES AC18 Doc. 7.1, 2002).

The tortoise is protected at three sites within its range. It is protected in the special reserve of Andranomena 6,420 ha and in the Sites of Biological Interest of (1) Analabe 2,000-12,000 ha and (2) the Kirindy Forest (Morondava) 100,000 ha by private or local interests [CFPF] (Nicoll and Langrand 1989).

Pyxis planicauda is bred at the Durrell Wildlife chelonian captive breeding centre in Ampijoroa (Razandrimamilafiniarivo et al. 2000) and at a number of zoos around the world.