Geochelone platynota (Blyth 1863) – Burmese Star Tortoise, Kye Leik

Abstract

The Burmese Star Tortoise, Geochelone platynota (Family Testudinidae) is a medium-sized tortoise (carapace length to ca. 30 cm) endemic to the dry zone of central Myanmar. Little is known concerning the ecology of G. platynota in the wild. The species occurs in xerophytic habitats typical of the dry zone, as well as grazed pastures, hedgerows, and agricultural fields. Its diet consists largely of grass and other vegetation, but fruit, mushrooms, snails, and insect remains have been recovered in feces. Mating occurs from June to September, followed by egg-laying from October through February. The mean size of 27 clutches was 4.4 eggs, and a positive relationship was noted between female size and clutch size. Based on a limited sample, the home range of males is somewhat larger than that of females. During cool and dry periods, activity declined and tortoises sheltered in bamboo thickets, undercut banks, and rock crevices. Geochelone platynota occurs both macro-and microsympatrically with Indotestudo elongata in the dry zone, but the ecological relationship between the two species remains poorly understood. The few available data suggest that G. platynota is ecologically extinct in the wild, as a result of historic long-term subsistence harvesting and more recent over-collecting to supply illegal international food and pet markets. The last known wild populations in Shwe Settaw and Minzontaung Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Myaleik Taung are now apparently reduced to non-viable levels. Future conservation efforts hinge on developing and implementing successful captive breeding and reintroduction programs in Myanmar. Currently, offspring are being produced at several rearing facilities in Myanmar, but persistent rampant poaching precludes the reintroduction of tortoises into protected areas. diStribution.-Myanmar. Endemic to the dry zone of central Myanmar (Burma). SynonoMy.-Testudo platynota Blyth 1863, Peltastes platynotus, Geochelone platynota, Geochelone elegans platynota. SubSPecieS.-None. StatuS.-IUCN 2011 Red List: Critically Endangered (CR A1cd+2cd, C2a) (assessed 2000); CITES: Appendix II, as Testudinidae spp.; Myanmar: Protection of Wildlife, Wild Plants and Conservation of Natural Areas Law: Protected.

In situ and ex situ reptile projects of the Cologne Zoo: implications for research and conservation of South East Asia's herpetodiversity

“…Robust security precautions are imperative because rare or threatened reptilian taxa have a high value in the illegal pet trade and may be targeted for theft (e.g. Ziegler, Strauch et al ., ; Platt et al ., ).…”

Strengthening International Legal Cooperation to Combat the Illegal Wildlife Trade Between Southeast Asia and China

“…Owing to unsustainable hunting and poaching, most large animals (> 1 kg) have experienced a precipitous decline in their populations across the SEA region (Harrison et al, 2016). Highly valued species, such as the Chinese pangolin (Challender et al, 2014), Indochinese leopard and tiger (Lynam, 2010;Rostro-Garcia et al, 2016), Javan rhinoceros (Brook et al, 2014), and Burmese star tortoise (Platt et al, 2011) have been extirpated from much of their original range or have even gone extinct in the wild. Crucially, the depletion of the region's wildlife resources has not only transformed the roles of certain SEA countries within the supply chain-Vietnam, for one, has evolved from a regional supplier into a key distribution center (Lin, 2005;Ngoc and Wyatt, 2013;Davis et al, 2019)-but it has also forced poachers, smugglers and illicit traders to target new source areas and alternative species as substitutes.…”

Threatened ecosystems of Myanmar: An IUCN Red List of Ecosystems Assessment. Version 1

“…Myanmar and Acacia catechu (Sha) (Platt et al, 2011). Some deciduous and evergreen species may be scattered through the thicket.…”

“…Occurs in narrow bands along the foothills of the Magway hills, and may have once had a broad distribution across the dry zone (Platt et al, 2011).…”