SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Incorrect data used previously)

Has a restricted range, with an extent of occurrence (EOO) of ca 2,900 km² . Occurs in three protected areas totalling less than 50 km². Overall, its range is presently impacted by small-scale agriculture and is within a vulnerable ecosystem classified as "hardly protected" (Driver et al. 2012). There is a continuing decline in range and the extent and quality of habitat, as the area shows a high potential for increased agriculture, afforestation and alien plant invasions which could lead to severe fragmentation. This species is therefore considered Near Threatened as it almost qualifies for a threatened listing under criterion B1ab.

Distribution

Endemic to the Eastern Cape, South Africa from the vicinity of Kentani along the coast northwards to Dwesa and Coffee Bay (Tolley et al. 2006, Tolley and Burger 2007, Bates et al. 2014).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

No information on population size or trend is currently available. The population might be declining due to increased agriculture, afforestation and alien plant invasions, but at present it is assumed that they have enough existing grassy patches to maintain connectivity.

Threats

Habitat is severely fragmented by subsistence agriculture (Driver et al. 2012). The greatest threats are increased agriculture, afforestation and alien plant invasions.

Uses and trade

There is no known removal from the wild for trade (UNEP-WCMC 2017).

Conservation

This species is listed in CITES Appendix II; it occurs in some protected areas. A better understanding of distribution and relevant threats are needed; this would allow for a re-assessment based on better data. The greatest threat is present and future habitat fragmentation that might disrupt connectivity.

References

[@electronic{181632,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2},
 year = {2018}
}
,@techreport{5228,
 address = {Pretoria, South Africa},
 author = {Driver, A., Sink, K.J., Nel, J.N., Holness, S., Van Niekerk, L., Daniels, F., Jonas, Z., Majiedt, P.A., Harris, L. and Maze, K.},
 institution = {South African National Biodiversity Institute and Department of Environmental Affairs},
 title = {National Biodiversity Assessment 2011: An assessment of South Africa’s biodiversity and ecosystems. Synthesis Report},
 year = {2012}
}
,@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. Second Edition},
 year = {1998}
}
,@book{3009,
 address = {Cape Town},
 author = {Tolley, K.A. and Burger, M.},
 publisher = {Struik},
 title = {Chameleons of Southern Africa},
 year = {2007}
}
,@electronic{3009,
 address = {https://trade.cites.org/},
 author = {UNEP-WCMC},
 title = {CITES Trade Database},
 year = {2017}
}
,@article{3023,
 author = {Tolley, K.A., Tilbury, C.R., Branch, W.R. and Matthee, C.A.},
 journal = {Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution},
 pages = {354--365},
 title = {Phylogenetics of the southern African dwarf chameleons, <i>Bradypodion</i> (Squamata: Chamaeleonidae)},
 volume = {30},
 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}
}
,]

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