SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Knowledge of criteria|New Information)

Has a restricted distribution with an extent of occurrence of less than 1,000 km². Although these lizards are rupicolous and found on the Blouberg mountain, the area surrounding the mountain is heavily impacted by agriculture. It is therefore likely that ecological integrity for the region in general is poor. The species is therefore listed as Near Threatened as it almost qualifies for listing as threatened under criterion B1ab(iii).

Distribution

Endemic to Limpopo Province, South Africa. Has a restricted distribution on rocky outcrops of Waterberg sandstone, at Blouberg Mountain and nearby outcrops.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

Occurs on small isolated rock outcrops that in some cases may support fewer than 20 individuals (Korner et al. 2000). The subpopulations are not considered severely fragmented, as dispersal between rock outcrops is assumed. Given that the species utilizes rocky outcrops, there could be a number of subpopulations. The population is inferred to be stable, given that the primary habitat is intact.

Threats

The region is under an overall decline in habitat quality due to agriculture, overgrazing and wood harvesting, however, these activities do not affect the lizards directly. The future severity of these threats may depend upon human population growth rate at nearby communities. Although there appears to be no targeted removals for pet trade at present, this species would be vulnerable to over harvesting locally.

Uses and trade

This species is not known to be traded at present, although other species in the genus are in the pet trade.

Conservation

Surveys of potential habitat consisting of Waterberg sandstone rock outcrops would assist to understand if the distribution is more widespread. The overall quality of habitat in the region is poor, so is imperative to gain an understanding of how vegetation and insect availability interact and affect the presence and abundance of Platysaurus monotropis. Furthermore, if the terrain surrounding rocky outcrops is devoid of vegetation, this could impede dispersal. Given the small size of occupied outcrops, dispersal is likely to be an important factor regulating population growth. Future conservation measures should thus address the question of whether vegetation restoration in the surrounding terrain is important for population maintenance and growth. Trade should be monitored to record and monitor any removals from the wild.

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}
}
,@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{110164693,
 author = {Jacobsen, N.H.G.},
 journal = {South African Journal of Zoology},
 number = {2},
 pages = {132--143},
 title = {The <i>Platysaurus intermedius</i> complex (Sauria: Cordylidae) in the Transvaal, South Africa, with descriptions of three new taxa},
 volume = {29},
 year = {1994}
}
,@article{110164784,
 author = {Korner, P., Whiting, M.J. and Ferguson, J.W.H.},
 journal = {African Journal of Herpetology},
 pages = {139--146},
 title = {Interspecific aggression in flat lizards suggests poor species recognition},
 volume = {49},
 year = {2000}
}
,]

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