Red List of South African Species

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

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Although of rare occurrence, this species is widespread in South Africa with no known substantial threats. It is therefore considered Least Concern.

Distribution

This species occurs along the eastern and western sides of Zimbabwe and southwards into South Africa and eastern Eswatini (Swaziland). In South Africa, it is found through Limpopo, the northern half of Mpumulanga and northern KwaZulu-Natal provinces (Broadley 1990). Broadley (1990) recorded Lycophidion semiannule from northern KwaZulu-Natal province but Broadley (1996) subsequently restricted L. semiannule to the Bazaruto Archipelago in Mozambique and thus these records are treated as L. variegatum, but require confirmation (Bates et al. 2014). According to Broadley (1996) and Bourquin (2004), L. variegatum does not occur further south than the Ngwavuma area of KwaZulu-Natal.

Decline

Slight

Population trend

Trend

The population is suspected to be stable.

Threats

There are no known substantial threats at present.

Uses and trade

This species is not utilized.

Conservation

None.

References 

[@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{5336,
 author = {Bourquin, O.},
 journal = {Durban Museum Novitates},
 pages = {57--103},
 title = {Reptiles (Reptilia) in KwaZulu-Natal: 1 - diversity and distribution},
 volume = {29},
 year = {2004}
}
,@book{10242,
 address = {Parklands, South Africa},
 author = {Broadley, D.G.},
 publisher = {Jonathan Ball and Ad. Donker Publishers},
 title = {FitzSimons' Snakes of Southern Africa},
 year = {1990}
}
,@article{13291002,
 author = {Broadley, D.G.},
 journal = {Syntarsus},
 pages = {1--33},
 title = {A revision of the genus <i>Lycophidion</i> Fitzinger (Serpentes: Colubridae) in Africa south of the Equator},
 volume = {3},
 year = {1996}
}
,]
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