SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Knowledge of criteria|Incorrect data used previously)

This species has a small extent of occurrence (ca 2,700 km²⁾, but there are no substantial threats to its habitat or populations at present. Although there was past decline in the extent and quality of suitable habitat due to timber plantations, this is not an active threat at present. If this threat were to become active, the species would need to be re-assessed. Hence at present the species is considered to be Least Concern.

Distribution

This species is endemic to Limpopo Province, South Africa, occurring widely throughout the Soutpansberg mountain range (Jacobsen 1988, Branch 1998, Bates et al. 2014).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

No quantitative information on population size or trends is currently available, but the species is inferred to be stable.

Threats

Large-scale timber plantations are the main threat to the quality and extent of this species habitat. However, the areas where plantations occur are limited to the eastern margin of the distribution which reduces the severity of the threat.

Uses and trade

Not known to be utilized or traded.

Conservation

A better understanding of this species distribution in the Soutpansberg mountain range would be allow for a better estimate of this species distribution. At present, it is not known to what extent the existing populations might be fragmented. Although it is not known from any formally protected areas, it does occur at Lajuma Private Nature Reserve where it receives some protection.

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}
}
,@book{3023,
 address = {Cape Town},
 author = {Branch, W.R.},
 publisher = {Struik Publishers},
 title = {Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. First Edition.},
 year = {1988}
}
,@article{41227,
 author = {Edwards, S., Vanhooydonck, B., Herrel, A., Measey, G.J. and Tolley, K.},
 journal = {PLoS One},
 number = {12},
 pages = {1--9},
 title = {Convergent evolution associated with habitat decouples phenotype from phylogeny in a clade of lizards},
 volume = {7},
 year = {2012}
}
,@article{41227,
 author = {Edwards, S., Branch, W.R., Vanhooydonck, B., Herrel, A., Measey, G.J. and Tolley, K.A.},
 journal = {Zootaxa},
 number = {2},
 pages = {101--114},
 title = {Taxonomic adjustments in the systematics of southern African lacertid lizards (Sauria: Lacertidae)},
 volume = {3669},
 year = {2013}
}
,@article{41227,
 author = {Kirchhof, S. and Richter, K.},
 journal = {Die Eidechse},
 pages = {33--40},
 title = {Eine kaum bekannte Eidechse: die Soutpansberg-Felseidechse <i>Australolacerta rupicola</i> (FitzSimons, 1933)},
 volume = {20},
 year = {2009}
}
,@article{41227,
 author = {Kirchhof, S., Krämer, M., Linden, J. and Richter, K.},
 journal = {Salamandra},
 number = {3},
 pages = {147--166},
 title = {The reptile species assemblage of the Soutpansberg (Limpopo Province, South Africa) and its characteristics},
 volume = {46},
 year = {2010}
}
,]

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Red List of South African Species