Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Bryan Maritz
Contributors: Josh Weeber
Facilitators: Graham Alexander Krystal Tolley
Reviewers: Michael Bates Juan-Jacques Forgus Krystal Tolley Luke Verburgt

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Widespread and generally abundant in suitable habitat (Bates et al. 2014), hence this species is assessed as Least Concern.

Distribution

Endemic to South Africa and Eswatini [Swaziland], occurring from the Eastern Cape northwards through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Eswatini (Bates et al. 2014). The possible northern limits of the range are represented by a questionable isolated record in central Limpopo province. An isolated subpopulation exists around Vereeniging  on the Gauteng/Free State border and probably originated from specimens washed down the Vaal River (Jacobsen 1989, Bates 1996). Bates et al. (2014) suggested that the permanency of this subpopulation required confirmation, although specimens from this subpopulation have been observed as recently as January 2017 (P. Rabiega pers. comm.). This species may also occur in southern Mozambique.

Population trend

Trend

The population is suspected to be stable given its large range, and that it is relatively common

Threats

 There are no significant threats at present; however, locally the species could be impacted by water abstraction from rivers and streams.

Uses and trade

This species is not utilized.

Conservation

Occurs in a number of protected areas. No conservation actions are recommended.

References 

[@electronic{181632,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-2},
 year = {2018}
}
,@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}
}
,@article{174109,
 author = {Bates, M.F.},
 journal = {Navorsinge van de Nasionale Museum Bloemfontein},
 number = {1},
 pages = {1--47},
 title = {New reptile distribution records for the Free State Province of South Africa},
 volume = {12},
 year = {1996}
}
,@article{110133954,
 author = {Raw, L.R.G.},
 journal = {Annals of the Natal Museum},
 number = {3},
 pages = {713--718},
 title = {A review of the Dusky-bellied Water Snake, <i>Lycodonomorphus laevissimus</i> (Gunther), with descriptions of two new subspecies},
 volume = {21},
 year = {1973}
}
,@article{110133954,
 author = {Haagner, G.V. and  Branch, W.R.},
 journal = {Journal of African Zoology},
 pages = {237--250},
 title = {A taxonomic revision of the dusky-bellied water snake, <i>Lycodonomorphus laevissimus</i> (Serpentes: Colubridae).},
 volume = {108},
 year = {1994}
}
,]
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