Red List of South African Species

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Data Deficient (DD)
Assessors: Krystal A Tolley Josh Weeber Michael Bates William Branch
Facilitators: Graham Alexander Krystal A Tolley
Reviewers: Adrian Armstrong Buyisile Makhubo Bryan Maritz

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

The area where this species occurs is highly transformed, but because the species' range is not well-understood, it is not possible to evaluate whether the species is at risk due to habitat transformation. Furthermore, it is not known if the species has adapted to these altered habitats. This species is therefore considered Data Deficient. 

Distribution

Lygodactylus meutheni is endemic to southern Limpopo Province, South Africa (Bates et al. 2014). To date, there are very few records of this species, having been found at Woodbush Forest Reserve and Wolkberg Wilderness Area (Jacobsen 1988, 1989).

Population trend

Trend

Its' range is not well understood, but the area where it has been found is highly transformed by plantations. It is possible that the species is in decline, but a better assessment of its' range is needed.

Threats

There has been a decline in the extent and quality of grassland habitat due to timber plantations. Comparison of original vegetation extent at 1,700 m (with a lower buffer from about 1,500 m elevation) with the South African National Landcover maps from 1990 and 2013 (Geo Terra Image 2015, 2016) shows about half the  historical distribution has contracted into small fragments. While it seems unlikely that the species can disperse between the remaining fragments, it is not known if the species has adapted to these altered habitats. Field surveys are required to find the species and to learn more about its ecology to confirm if afforestation has or is having an impact

Uses and trade

Not known to be utilized in any way.

Conservation

An improved estimate of this species range is urgently needed. If it occurs across isolated habitat fragments, an assessment of connectivity and gene flow would be useful. A better understanding of the extent of  threat from existing forestry practice and increased anthropogenic fire risk is needed.

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{2817,
 address = {Cape Town},
 author = {Branch, W.R.},
 publisher = {Struik Publishers},
 title = {Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Third Edition},
 year = {1998}
}
,@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}
}
,@techreport{11227,
 author = {Geo Terra Image},
 title = {Technical Report: 2013/2014 South African National Land Cover Dataset version 5. Pretoria},
 year = {2015}
}
,@techreport{11228,
 author = {Geo Terra Image},
 title = {Technical Report: 1990 South African National Land Cover Dataset version 5.2. Pretoria.},
 year = {2016}
}
,]
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