SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Knowledge of criteria)

Occurs in one of the most anthropogenically fragmented regions of South Africa (Meadows and Hoffmann 2002, Driver et al. 2012). The extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated at over 17,400 km², and there is a decline in habitat quality and extent of habitat (Armstrong 2009), although the species can utilize well-vegetated urban areas. The expectation is that pressure for land transformation in this area is likely to continue due to projected human population density increases (Armstrong 2008, 2009; Driver et al. 2012). This species is therefore considered Near Threatened as it almost qualifies for a threatened listing under criterion B1ab(iii).

Distribution

Found in the coastal regions of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, from north of Durban southwards to Mkambati Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape (Tolley and Burger 2007, Bates et al. 2014). The distribution reaches about 100 km inland, except in the southern portion of the range where the species appears to be confined to the coast. The inland subpopulation is morphologically but not genetically distinct from the coastal subpopulation (da Silva and Tolley 2013, 2017).

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

There is no information on population size or trends. Although there are heavy anthropogenic impacts in some parts of this region causing habitat fragmentation, not more than 50% of the populations or individuals are estimated as being isolated in these fragments. The species is therefore not considered severely fragmented.

Threats

In some areas, this species occurs in a fragmented habitat that is also under threat from alien invasive species. The range is under heavy pressure for present and future land transformation, especially around the Durban municipal area (Meadows and Hoffmann; 2002Armstrong 2009, 2008; Driver et al. 2012). Fragmentation could disrupt gene flow and increase the likelihood of genetic bottlenecks. This in turn could reduce the potential for recovery and population growth, even in areas that may be rehabilitated in the future (e.g. see Armstrong 2008). In addition, climate model projections using the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change A2 and B2 scenarios (Houniet et al. 2009) suggest that this species could suffer a 40% loss in climatically suitable habitat in the next century.

Uses and trade

Legal trade in this species is minimal (UNEP-WCMC 2017) and unlikely to affect wild populations detrimentally at the current level.

Conservation

This species is listed in CITES Appendix II; it occurs in some protected areas. This species would benefit from a more thorough understanding of the threats to its habitat, both past and ongoing as well as a better understanding of connectivity across the fragmented habitat.

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{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{3017,
 author = {da Silva, J.M. and Tolley, K.A.},
 journal = {Journal of Biogeography},
 pages = {834--847},
 title = {Diversification through ecological opportunity in dwarf chameleons},
 volume = {44},
 year = {2017}
}
,@article{176291,
 author = {Meadows, M.E. and Hoffmann, M.T.},
 journal = {Area},
 number = {4},
 pages = {428--437},
 title = {The nature, extent and causes of land degradation in South Africa: Legacy of the past, lessons for the future?},
 volume = {34},
 year = {2002}
}
,@article{42681112,
 author = {Houniet, D.T., Thuiller, W. and Tolley, K.A.},
 journal = {African Journal of Herpetology},
 pages = {28--35},
 title = {Potential effects of predicted climate change on the endemic south African dwarf chameleons, <i>Bradypodion</i>},
 volume = {59},
 year = {2009}
}
,@article{42681112,
 author = {Armstrong, A.J.},
 journal = {African Journal of Herpetology},
 pages = {85--97},
 title = {Distribution and conservation of the coastal population of the black-headed dwarf chameleon <i>Bradypodion melanocephalum</i> in Kwazulu-Natal},
 volume = {58},
 year = {2009}
}
,@article{42681112,
 author = {Armstrong, A.J.},
 journal = {African Journal of Herpetology},
 pages = {29--41},
 title = {Translocation of black-headed dwarf chameleons <i>Bradypodion melanocephalum</i> in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa},
 volume = {57},
 year = {2008}
}
,@article{42681112,
 author = {da Silva, J.M. and Tolley, K.A.},
 journal = {Biological Journal of the Linnean Society},
 pages = {113--130},
 title = {Ecomorphological variation and sexual dimorphism in a recent radiation of dwarf chameleons (<i>Bradypodion</i>)},
 volume = {109},
 year = {2013}
}
,]

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