Red List of South African Species

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Extinct (EX)
Assessors: Aaron Bauer Werner Conradie Johan Marais
Contributors: Josh Weeber
Facilitators: Graham Alexander Krystal Tolley
Reviewers: John Measey Alex Rebelo Nicolas Telford

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

No specimens of this species have been found in over 130 years, despite directed searches near the type locality. There are also no known captive specimens, so the species’ status as Extinct (see Broadley 1994) is now confirmed.

Distribution

Described by Boulenger in 1887 on the basis of a single specimen from 'Port Natal' somewhere near Durban. Has not been found again in more than 130 years, despite extensive surveys in the greater Durban area failing to produce any specimens (Bates et al. 2014). These surveys included Marianhill, where the Reverend Henry Callaway is believed to have found the first and only specimen when traveling by ox-wagon from Pietermaritzburg.

Population trend

Trend

No specimens have been identified in more than 130 years since the description of the species, despite directed searches. There are also no known captive specimens and there is thus high confidence that the species is extinct.

Threats

Conversion of habitat in the Durban area for agriculture and human settlement may have been a major cause of extinction (Bourquin 1988, Broadley 1994).

Uses and trade

This species is not known to have been utilized or traded in any way.

Conservation

Not applicable; the species is deemed Extinct.

Renewed searches should be conducted in the greater Durban area. If the original type is still available, re-examination or the use of ancient DNA analysis should be undertaken to look into its taxonom status.

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}
}
,@article{16939,
 author = {FitzSimons, V.F.M.},
 journal = {Memoirs of the Transvaal Museum},
 pages = {i--xv + 1--528, +24 pls + map},
 title = {The lizards of South Africa},
 volume = {1},
 year = {1943}
}
,@article{178184,
 author = {Broadley, D.G.},
 journal = {Annals of Natal Museum},
 pages = {237--259},
 title = {The genus <i>Scelotes</i> Fitzinger (Reptilia: Scincidae) in Mozambique, Swaziland and Natal, South Africa},
 volume = {35},
 year = {1994}
}
,@book{44979051,
 address = {London},
 author = {Boulenger, G.A.},
 publisher = {Vol. III. British Museum of Natural History},
 title = {Catalogue of the Lizards in the British Museum (Natural History)},
 year = {1887}
}
,]
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