SANBI

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

This species has a small area of occupancy (390 km²) and extent of occurrence (ca 3,200 km²). Fluctuations in the number of mature individuals as a result of fire (both controlled and natural) of fire-prone fynbos have been observed, but subpopulations are observed to recover. Approximately half of the individuals are in the subpopulation at Kareerdouw Mountains, which is not under any substantial threats and is under protection by South African National Parks. The other large subpopulation at Elandberg is not under any substantial threat at present, although this subpopulation was impacted in the past due to planting of pines in place of fynbos. Although the species has been extirpated in some transformed parts of its range (e.g. Schoenmakerskop), at present the known subpopulations are not under substantial threat, hence although a range restricted species, it is assessed as Least Concern.

Distribution

Endemic to the Eastern Cape, South Africa in two disjunct mountain ranges, the Elandsberg (including the Vanstadensberg block) and the Kareedouw Mountains, and in a single wetland near Cape St. Francis (Burger and Smith 1992, Tolley and Burger 2007, Bates et al. 2014), constituting three isolated subpopulations. Historical records suggest that the species previously inhabited suitable areas outside these known sites, e.g. "Schoenmakerskop" in Port Elizabeth and Vanstadens Wildflower Reserve near Port Elizabeth (Tolley and Burger 2004). The species is now absent from both these localities. Schoenmakerskop was previously vegetated with fynbos, but is now completely transformed. A recent survey of Vanstadens Wildflower Reserve produced no new records of this species (Tolley and Burger 2004).

Decline

Moderate

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

No quantitative information on population size or trends is currently available, but the species is estimated to be stable at present. More than 50% of populations/individuals occur in mountainous regions that are not currently under threat. At least one of these subpopulations (Elandsberg) is estimated to have declined in the past due to impacts of plantations.While there can be extreme fluctuations in population size due to natural fires, the populations have been observed to recover quickly.

Threats

Although the species is only known from three subpopulations, there are no substantial threats to those subpopulations at present. Some managed areas in the fynbos habitat are under burn rotations to encourage veld regeneration. For example, burn rotations of fynbos on the Longmore plantation property (Elandsberg mountains) are regimented and take into account the dispersal and re-colonization potential (or lack thereof) of the chameleons. Most of the remaining habitat in the Elandsberg is under provincial protection and burn rotations do not take chameleons into account. Although the number of subpopulations is few and an uncontrolled fire could potentially decimate a large proportion of mature individuals, this species is adapted to a fire prone habitat. The fynbos at Elandsberg has been burned by wildfires on several occasions over the last decades, leaving small patches of vegetation surviving (K. Kirkman pers. comm. 2014). Subsequent surveys confirm that chameleons are present (K.A. Tolley pers. obs. 2014), suggesting that fire is not a substantial threat, particularly if managed. Climate model projections using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change A2 and B2 scenarios (Houniet 2008) suggest that this species could suffer up to a 40% loss in climatically suitable habitat in the next century.

Uses and trade

No known trade in this species and no recorded CITES exports (UNEP-WCMC 2017).

Conservation

This species is listed in CITES Appendix II; it occurs in many protected areas. Restrict habitat encroachment in protected areas and on private lands. Take every opportunity to reclaim natural veld, and actively manage reclaimed areas. In areas where controlled burns are necessary for the maintenance of the fire-prone fynbos vegetation, limit the burn rotation to blocks that are as small as possible. Do not burn alternate blocks at intervals of less than four years, to allow for maturation of the veld and recolonisation by chameleons (this particular fire rotation scheme is in place in fynbos habitat at Longmore Plantation). Another strategy at Longmore is to encourage fynbos growth in newly-planted pine compartments, until the fynbos is gradually shaded out by growing pines. This is done by strip-spraying with herbicides around the young trees, rather than blanket-spraying of the entire compartment (the latter would kill fynbos and promote grasses). For a period of approximately five years, the compartment comprises a mixture of fynbos and young pines. This practice could allow for additional temporary habitat for chameleons as compartments are rotated.

References

[@electronic{181632,
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 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2},
 year = {2018}
}
,@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{3009,
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}
,@inbook{3023,
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 pages = {1--242},
 title = {South African National Scientific Programmes Report 151},
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}
,@article{3023,
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 title = {Phylogenetics of the southern African dwarf chameleons, <i>Bradypodion</i> (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae)},
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}
,@article{3023,
 author = {Tolley, K.A. and Burger, M.},
 journal = {African Journal of Herpetology},
 number = {2},
 pages = {123--133},
 title = {Distribution of <i>Bradypodion taeniabronchum</i> (Smith 1831) and other dwarf chameleons in the eastern Cape Floristic Region of South Africa},
 volume = {52},
 year = {2004}
}
,@article{3023,
 author = {Tolley, K.A., Burger, M., Turner, A.A. and Matthee, C.A.},
 journal = {Molecular Ecology},
 pages = {781--793},
 title = {Biogeographic patterns and phylogeography of dwarf chameleons (<i>Bradypodion</i>) in an African biodiversity hotspot},
 volume = {15},
 year = {2006}
}
,@phdthesis{3023,
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 title = {The Effects of Environment and Niche on the Distributions of Dwarf Chameleons, Present and Future},
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}
,@article{3023,
 author = {Burger, M. and Smith, R.B.T},
 journal = {Journal of the Herpetological Association of Africa},
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 title = {Geographical distribution: <i>Bradypodion taeniabronchum</i>},
 volume = {41},
 year = {1992}
}
,@book{3023,
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 author = {Branch, W.R.},
 publisher = {Struik Publishers},
 title = {Field Guide to the Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. First Edition.},
 year = {1988}
}
,]

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