Distribution and status of the geometric tortoise Psammobates geometricus in South Africa

Baard, Ernst H. W.

doi:10.1016/0006-3207(93)90718-g

Cited by 9 publications

(11 citation statements)

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“…The geometric tortoise (Psammobates geometricus; Figure 7c) is an endemic reptile confined to a few small remnants of renosterveld shrubland. Young tortoises are vulnerable to frequent fires, and large fires can remove suitable habitat (Baard 1993). Because the remaining habitat is largely fragmented and occurs in relatively small patches, fire managers should seek to create a mosaic of different post‐fire vegetation ages; this would reduce the impact of large fires and ensure sufficient tortoise habitat at any given time (Baard 1993).…”

Section: Burning For Animal Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Young tortoises are vulnerable to frequent fires, and large fires can remove suitable habitat (Baard 1993). Because the remaining habitat is largely fragmented and occurs in relatively small patches, fire managers should seek to create a mosaic of different post‐fire vegetation ages; this would reduce the impact of large fires and ensure sufficient tortoise habitat at any given time (Baard 1993). This has not, however, been implemented in practice, partly because much of the remaining suitable land is under private ownership.…”

Section: Burning For Animal Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Fire management in species‐rich Cape fynbos shrublands

Wilgen

2013

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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Section: Burning For Animal Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Burning For Animal Conservationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fire management in species‐rich Cape fynbos shrublands

Wilgen

2013

Frontiers in Ecol & Environ

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“…Geometric tortoises Psammobates geometricus are Critically Endangered (Hofmeyr and Baard 2015) because of a multitude of anthropogenic factors, including massive loss of habitat (c. 97%; Baard 1993Baard , 1995, an unnatural increase in fire frequency, predation by subsidised predators (e.g. Chacma baboons and Pied Crows), poaching (Henen et al 2013), and highly fragmented habitat resulting in small populations vulnerable to stochastic impacts such as fire (Baard 1995).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Variation in the daily activity, movement and refugia of Critically Endangered geometric tortoises,Psammobates geometricus, in autumn and spring

Henen

Bloemestein

Hofmeyr

et al. 2017

African Journal of Herpetology

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To help assess habitat requirements of Critically Endangered geometric tortoises, we used thread-trailing to measure daily activity, movements and refugia of adult Psammobates geometricus in autumn and spring 2002. We found strong differences between seasons, and effects of weather, individuals and sex. The high activity was consistent with mild weather during autumn and spring. However, daily temperatures limited female movements on cool autumn days and male movements on warm spring days, a pattern consistent with sexual size dimorphism (large females and small males). The long movements in autumn probably helped tortoises find food plants that grow quickly after autumn rains; both sexes recover body condition from autumn lows, and females begin egg production in late-autumn and winter. These movements may also help males mate with females before they ovulate. The high activity of females in spring should help them forage and sustain their vitellogenesis, egg production and nesting in spring. Male paths tended to be more linear than female paths in both seasons, so this sexual difference is likely not linked to food consumption. Males may move long, linear paths to engage females and avoid other males. Males may have been thermally-challenged in spring. Their movements decreased with increased ground temperatures (in the sun), they used denser refugia in spring than in autumn, and in spring used denser refugia than females used. Geometric tortoises typically used different refugia on consecutive nights, a type of predator avoidance mechanism.

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“…Geometric Tortoise does not occur naturally in fynbos (in its strictest botanical sense) but is confined to remnant patches of low-lying renosterveld of the south-western Cape coast and the Cape Fold Mountain belt. Here, habitat destruction has seriously reduced its population such that it is classified as 'Critically Endangered' (Baard and Hofmeyer 2014) and generally considered to be the second-most endangered tortoise species in the world. Leopard Tortoise Stigmochelys pardalis.…”

Section: Land Tortoises Family Testudinidaementioning

confidence: 99%

Reptiles and Amphibians of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

Fraser¹

2023

Biodiv. Obs.

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The status of all the reptile and amphibian species that have been recorded in the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve (the southern section of the Table Mountain National Park) is described. A total of 57 species has been recorded, comprising seven tortoises and turtles, 14 lizards, one chamaeleon, 20 snakes, two platannas, and 13 frogs and toads. The Reserve is an important stronghold of the IUCN-classified ‘Endangered’ Cape Platanna Xenopus gilli, and holds the discrete southern population of the range-restricted, ‘Near Threatened’ Cape Peninsula Moss Frog Arthroleptella lightfooti.

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Distribution and status of the geometric tortoise Psammobates geometricus in South Africa

Cited by 9 publications

References 1 publication

Fire management in species‐rich Cape fynbos shrublands

Fire management in species‐rich Cape fynbos shrublands

Variation in the daily activity, movement and refugia of Critically Endangered geometric tortoises,Psammobates geometricus, in autumn and spring

Reptiles and Amphibians of the Cape of Good Hope Nature Reserve, Western Cape, South Africa

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