Rationale
(Changed due to Same category but change in criteria)
This species has a restricted extent of occurrence (EOO) and is severely fragmented, with ongoing threats. The area of occupancy (AOO) declined from 176 km2 historically, to 144 km2 circa 1990, to the current estimated AOO of just 40 km2. Development of roads, housing, industry and farmland has also resulted in an observed and projected decline in EOO (assumed extirpated at Stamford Hill, north of Durban harbour) from a historical level of ca 280 km2 to 133 km2 in 1990 to 89.9 km2 at present. In addition to the decline in habitat extent, these coastal developments have also resulted in a observed and projected (and continuing) decline in the quality of habitat, and a decrease in the number of subpopulations and mature individuals. The extremely severe fragmentation of the distribution and the small size of habitat patches (11 fragments ranging from 0.025 to 1.1 km2) to could result in a non-viable metapopulation, and further loss of populations within the smallest fragments. The species is therefore considered Critically Endangered.
Distribution
Endemic to South Africa and limited to the greater Durban area of KwaZulu-Natal, from the Durban beachfront (next to the old FitzSimons Snake Park) in the north to Scottburgh in the south, and as far inland as Woodlands/Montclair; Bates et al. 2014). The current distribution is scattered over a number of extremely small remaining fragments (ranging from 0.025 to 1.1 km2), totaling just 2.9 km2. This species previously occurred north of Durban harbour at Stamford Hill, but that population is considered to be extirpated as directed searches have not produced any observations in the last decade. The remaining habitat fragments are situated linearly along the coastline (north-south coastline), not inland. The result is that the EOO and AOO are 89 km2 and 40 km2, respectively, despite the small total distribution size. This loss is apparent from the South African National Landcover datasets from 1990 and 2013 (Geo Terra 2015, 2016). Comparison of these landcover data show there is 14% natural landcover loss within the distribution of this species in this 23 year time period. This is much greater than the 2.3% natural landcover decrease on a national scale. The published localities (Broadley 1994) on the northern and southern banks of the Umgeni River are incorrect; no voucher specimens exist for these records and they probably represent Scelotes mossambicus.
Decline
no viable subpopulations cover more than 50% of population
Population trend
Trend
Given the declines in habitat and small remaining patches where this species occurs, the species is considered to be in decline in terms of numbers of individuals and numbers of subpopulations.
Threats
Development of roads, housing, industrial development and farmland have caused habitat destruction and severe fragmentation (Bates et al. 2014, Geo Terra 2015, 2016). Further fragmentation is projected given the continued urbanization of the coastal region. The highly fragmented nature of this species distribution, with very small patches separated by dozens of kilometres could result in a non-viable metapopulation.
Uses and trade
Not known to be utilized or traded in any way.
Conservation
It is likely that all localities where this species occurs are documented, and the declines are ongoing. This species is a candidate for a Biodiversity Management Plan (see South African National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act, Act No. 10 of 2004) to mitigate the effects of habitat destruction. Additionally, information on ecology, genetics (connectivity), habitat quality and potential threats should be improved. Ex situ breeding could be used to introduce subpopulations to suitable habitat should it be restored.
