Red List of South African Species

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

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

This species has a relatively large distribution and although some areas have been transformed by agriculture and urbanization, the majority of the distribution is not heavily impacted. It also occurs in a number of Protected Areas, and is considered well protected. The species is therefore considered Least Concern.

Distribution

Found in southern Africa, occurring in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Botswana (Jacobsen 1989, Branch 1998). In South Africa, this species is distributed in Limpopo Province from the Soutpansberg area southwards to the Waterberg (Bates et al. 2014). The ranges of the two subspecies (Scelotes limpopoensis limpopoensis and S. l. albiventris) are sympatric, although the latter has a smaller range. 

Population trend

Trend

The population is inferred to be stable.

Threats

There are no substantial threats. 

Uses and trade

Not known to be utilized or traded in any way.

Conservation

Research should be conducted on the taxonomy, and distribution of the two subspecies. 

References 

[@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}
}
,@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{44979184,
 author = {Jacobsen, N.H.G.},
 journal = {Annals of the Transvaal Musuem},
 pages = {371--376},
 title = {A new subspecies of <i>Scelotes limpopoensis</i> FitzSimons, 1930 (Sauria: Scincidae), with notes on the distribution of the genus <i>Scelotes</i> in the Transvaal},
 volume = {34},
 year = {1987}
}
,]
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