Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Michael Bates Martin Whiting
Facilitators: Graham Alexander Krystal A Tolley
Reviewers: Graham Alexander Adriaan Jordaan Paula Strauss Jody Taft Josh Weeber

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Has a small range with an extent of occurrence approximately 3,500 km2. The area is not severely fragmented nor is there a substantial decline in  in habitat extent or quality. The species is therefore considered Least Concern. .

Distribution

Endemic to the Soutpansberg range in Limpopo Province, South Africa (Bates et al. 2014). Within the Soutpansberg it is most common on northern slopes where there is less rainfall and more exposed rock without big tracts of forest (Jacobsen 1989).

Population trend

Trend

There is no information on status or trends for this species, but the population is inferred to be stable given that it is distributed in an area that is not heavily impacted by human activities.

Threats

Has an small distribution but, because it is rupicolous and lives on the Soutpansberg range, there are no obvious threats to its habitat. However, there may be an indirect threat from agricultural activity, particularly in the southern part of the range where the use of insecticides may impact local populations. In the past, populations were threatened by collection for the pet trade, but this was later ameliorated through protective legislation (Jacobsen 1988).

Uses and trade

Has been collected in the past for the pet trade.

Conservation

Monitor the quality of surrounding habitat as this may influence the ecological integrity of the area, which could be important to the survival of this species.

References 

[@electronic{181632,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2},
 year = {2018}
}
,@article{3069,
 author = {McLachlan, A.},
 journal = {South African National Scientific Programmes Report},
 number = {23},
 title = {South African Red Data Book - Reptiles and Amphibians},
 year = {1978}
}
,@book{612,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M., Burger, M., Marais, J., Alexander, G.J. and de Villiers, M.S.},
 publisher = {Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute},
 title = {Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland},
 year = {2014}
}
,@techreport{5336,
 address = {Pretoria, South Africa},
 author = {Jacobsen, N.H.G.},
 institution = {Chief Directorate of Nature and Environmental Conservation},
 title = {The distribution and conservation status of reptiles and amphibians in the Transvaal. Final Report Project TN 6/4/1/30},
 year = {1989}
}
,]
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