Endemic Reptiles Research Articles

Smaller islands, bigger appetites: evolutionary strategies of insular endemic skinks.

Competitive dietary and morphological divergence among co-occurring species are fundamental aspects of ecological communities, particularly on islands. Cabo Verde (~570 km west of continental Africa) hosts several endemic reptiles descended from common ancestors, with sympatric species exhibiting wide morphological variation and competing for limited resources. To explore the mechanisms of resource partitioning between coexisting species, DNA metabarcoding was used to compare the diets of large and small skinks, Chioninia vaillantii and Chioninia delalandii, in sympatric and allopatric contexts on Fogo Island and in a more competitive context on the small and resource-poor Cima Islet. The morphological variation of all populations was also examined to test the character displacement hypothesis and to compare the effect of different competitive scenarios. Results showed significant differences in diet and linear measurements between species and populations. The two sympatric populations of C. delalandii on Fogo and Cima showed similar changes in head morphology compared to the allopatric population, supporting character displacement. The effect of higher competitive pressure on Cima was evidenced by the increased morphological and dietary variation observed. This study demonstrates how sister species develop dietary adaptations/morphologies to maintain stable coexistence, especially in highly competitive scenarios, providing useful insights for effective conservation strategies.

Folliculectomy for the treatment of pre-ovulatory follicular stasis in three illegally captured West Coast green geckos (Naultinus tuberculatus) to enable wild rehabilitation

ABSTRACT Case history In 2023, the New Zealand Department of Conservation seized 63 endemic reptiles that were being held without a permit. This group included three adult female West Coast green geckos (Naultinus tuberculatus) that had been illegally removed from the wild 2 years earlier. They had been held in an outdoor enclosure with a pair of goldstripe geckos (Woodworthia chrysosiretica). Clinical findings On physical examination, all three geckos had at least two soft palpable masses in the coelom. Repeated ultrasonographic examination over several months confirmed the diagnosis of pre-ovulatory follicular stasis (POFS) in each gecko, and in subsequent weeks, more ovarian follicles developed in each animal. Laboratory findings All three geckos were negative on culture of cloacal swabs for Salmonella spp., and negative on PCR assay of a cloacal flush for Cryptosporidium spp., despite other reptiles in the seized group showing positive results for multiple Salmonella spp., and one other gecko being positive for Cryptosporidium parvum, subtype IIcA5G3. Treatment and outcome For all three geckos, para-midline ventral coeliotomy was performed under general anaesthesia, and folliculectomy of degenerate ovarian follicles was performed. Post-operative complications were seen in all three animals, which developed suture-line infections following disruption of normal skin shedding and entrapment of shed keratin in the surgical sites. A second surgery was undertaken to remove impacted keratin and caseous inflammatory material from the surgical wounds of all three animals and buried sutures were placed to close the coelomic wounds. The geckos were treated with 20 mg/kg ceftazidime IM every second day for 2 weeks post-operatively. Subsequent ecdysis (skin shedding) occurred without complication and the geckos were released back to the wild 10 months after admission. Clinical relevance The recommended treatment for POFS in reptiles is ovariectomy, which is not appropriate for wild animals. The use of folliculectomy to resolve preovulatory follicular stasis should be considered for animals where retaining reproductive ability is essential.

Shifts in the trophic ecology of feral cats in the alpine ecosystem of an oceanic island: implications for the conservation of native biodiversity

AbstractCats, introduced on thousands of islands worldwide, are one of the greatest threats to native wildlife. An analysis of 301 scats was performed in order to study the diet of cats in a National Park in the alpine ecosystem of an oceanic island (Tenerife, Canary Islands). The results were compared with those obtained 35 years ago. In this study, eight types of vertebrates were detected in the cat diet: two endemic reptiles, four introduced mammals, and two birds. Although introduced rabbits were the most important prey, accounting for 53.9% of the biomass in the diet, this figure is among the lowest recorded in the Canary Islands. Data show a shift from the diet 35 years ago, with a decrease in the percentage of rabbits consumed, from 73% of diet biomass in 1986 to 53.9% today, and an increase mainly not only in reptiles but also in native birds. This change is due to a decrease in the rabbit population, probably motivated by the incidence of haemorrhagic disease (RHDV2). Using a daily intake of 170 g, we estimated that a single cat could prey on 1331 vertebrates/year. Assuming a low cat density of 1 cat/km2, the total cat population in the National Park would kill 257,739 vertebrates, being native species particularly vulnerable to predation, with 166,249 reptiles and 5588 birds annually. Thus, with the aim of updating and improving management strategies for the conservation of native biodiversity, there is a need for new research on invasive predators on islands where diet may change over time.

Effect of Rote Tortoise Habitat on Morphology and Anatomical Systems of the Body and Government Efforts to Overcome Extinction

The Rote turtle with the scientific name Chelodina mccordi is an endemic animal from Rote Island, East Nusa Tenggara. The Rote turtle is unique in its long neck and snake-like head. Rote turtles are rarely found in their natural habitat because many are hunted to be traded by collectors of endemic reptiles. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the habitat and behavior of the rote tortoise on its morphology and body mechanisms. The method used to compile this paper is to use literature reviews and literature studies from various sources to discuss 5 topics of study, namely: Rote Turtle Habitat, Rote Turtle Morphology, Blood Circulation System, Rote Turtle Respiratory System, Osmoregulation and Excretion of the Rote Turtle, and Uniqueness and Management of the Rote Turtle. Based on the results obtained, the habitat of the Rote turtle greatly influences the morphology and mechanisms of blood, respiration, osmoregulation, and excretion of the Rote turtle. The habitat for tortoise rote is the appropriate physical environment. Low rainfall of around 800-1200 mm/year and swamp grass with a height of about 2-3 meters. Potential predators for food and hunting have caused the Rote tortoise to become rare and rarely found in its natural habitat. The NTT government has designated three natural habitat lakes are natural habitats and the Governor of NTT Decree Number: 204/KEP/HK/2019 made the rote turtle habitat for the rote turtle Essential Ecosystem Area.

Ineffectiveness of plastic mesh for protecting artificial freshwater turtle nests from red fox (Vulpes vulpes) predation

AbstractInvasive mammalian predators are efficient at driving native animal declines. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) kills millions of endemic reptiles in Australia each year. In areas of south‐eastern Australia, the eastern long‐necked turtle (Chelodina longicollis) and Murray River turtle (Emydura macquarii) have declined by more than 50%. High rates of nest predation by foxes limit the recruitment of young turtles in these populations, but previous methods of fox control have been ineffective at protecting turtle nests. Here, we tested the effectiveness of plastic mesh for protecting artificial turtle nests from predation by foxes, in the mid‐Murray catchment, Victoria. We also tested whether protecting a large number of artificial nests in a given area encourages foxes to give up foraging following predictions from giving‐up density theory. We made a series of plots, each containing 32 artificial turtle nests. In each plot, we covered a percentage (0%, 25%, 50%, 81% or 100%) of the nests with either 1 or 2 sheets of plastic mesh. We used remote cameras to photograph and identify any predator that attacked nests in the plots. The cameras also allowed us to estimate the amount of time a fox was visible on each plot, as a metric of how much effort foxes expended on protected nests. Nest survival rate was not increased by either 1 or 2 sheets of mesh, and increasing the number of protected nests on a plot did not reveal a giving‐up density (GUD) value for fox foraging behaviour. Our study demonstrates that plastic mesh is not effective for protecting artificial turtle nests from foxes in this region.

Mammal-related Cryptosporidium infections in endemic reptiles of New Zealand

New Zealand’s endemic reptile fauna is highly threatened and pathogens causing infectious diseases may be a significant risk to already endangered species. Here, we investigate Cryptosporidium infection in captive endemic New Zealand reptiles. We found two mammal-related Cryptosporidium species (C. hominis and C. parvum) and six subtypes from three gp60 families (Ib, Ig and IIa) in 12 individuals of captive endemic Tuatara, Otago and Grand skinks, and Jewelled and Rough geckos. Cryptosporidium serpentis was identified in two Jewelled geckos using 18S. In New Zealand, C. hominis and C. parvum are associated with infections in humans and introduced domestic animals but have also been recently found in wildlife. Our finding of Cryptosporidium infection in endemic reptiles can help inform strategies to monitor the conservation of species and manage potential introductions of pathogens to in-situ and ex-situ populations.

Sylvester not only captured Tweety: Records of wildlife hunting by Felis catus (Carnivora: Felidae) in the Colombian Caribbean

The domestic cat is an invasive species that creates serious problems for wildlife worldwide. For the Neotropical region there is deficiency in knowledge about hunting behavior, affected species and other aspects that allow a better understanding of the effects on local biodiversity. In this study, we made an approximation of cases of mortality of wildlife by domestic cats in the Colombian Caribbean Region. We found 107 hunting records, belonging to 31 species belonging to 24 families, 12 orders and three classes of vertebrates Amphibia, Sauropsida and Mammalia. The most affected species correspond to Cnemidophorus sp (31 cases), Columbina talcopati (16 cases) and Cnemidophorus gaigei (10 cases). Additionally, we found a hunting record of a migratory species, Porzana carolina, and two subspecies of endemic reptiles from the Colombian Caribbean region, Erythrolamprus melanotus lamari and Ameiva bifrontata divisa. These records become the first reported for Colombia, warning by the quantity and taxonomic spectrum of the potential impact that it may be generating on wildlife and its ecosystem services.

Influence of landscape and vegetation characteristics on herpetofaunal assemblages in Gulf Coastal Plain pine forests

AbstractLongleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savanna characterized by open‐canopy, diverse herbaceous vegetation, and high amounts of bare soil once covered much of the southeastern United States Coastal Plain. The unique structural and vegetative conditions of this ecosystem support endemic reptiles and amphibians that have declined as longleaf pine forests have been lost or degraded. Private working pine (Pinusspp.) forests managed for timber production now occur throughout the southeastern United States and have replaced much of the historical longleaf pine savanna. The examination of herpetofaunal (reptile, amphibian) communities in private working loblolly pine (P. taeda) landscapes, particularly in the western Gulf Coastal Plain is lacking. Using repeated field surveys and hierarchical community occupancy models, we examined occupancy and species richness of herpetofauna across 81 sites spanning gradients of management practices, vegetative conditions, and soil composition in northwestern Louisiana, USA, 2017–2019. Young pine stands (<6 yr) exhibited structural characteristics most similar to mature longleaf pine reference sites (>30 yr), while mid‐aged stands (13–26 yr) often featured closed canopy and dense midstory. Vegetation conditions varied widely depending on landscape characteristics and site‐specific disturbance regimes. We documented 43 species of herpetofauna, including 9 open‐pine‐associated species. Occupancy of open‐pine‐associated herpetofauna was positively associated with open‐canopy and understory conditions, and sandy soil area. Sites providing open‐canopy conditions were often occupied by open‐pine‐associated species regardless of overstory type and disturbance method. Overall richness of herpetofauna was greatest at sites with moderate canopy cover outside of sandy soil regions. Working pine landscapes in the western Gulf Coastal Plain can support diverse herpetofaunal assemblages, including open‐pine‐associated species, when management practices maintain open‐canopy conditions on sandy, upland soils. More broadly, our results provide insight into how forest management practices affect herpetofauna and may guide practices that can contribute to conservation value of working pine forests.

Selva Zoque, Mexico: an important Mesoamerican tropical region for reptile species diversity and conservation.

The Selva Zoque region is characterized by a great variety of ecosystems for which there is little information about reptile species diversity and their conservation status. This study is the first assessment of the species richness, composition, and conservation status of reptiles of this region. Additionally, this information is compared with that of seven other tropical regions in northern Mesoamerica. In total, 141 native reptile species belonging to 81 genera and 29 families are recorded for the Selva Zoque region. Sixty species (42% of the total) recorded in Selva Zoque are in high-risk categories according to the Mexican Ministry of the Environment, the highest number for the Mexican regions of Mesoamerica. According to the IUCN, six species are in high-risk categories, seven species are in Data Deficient, and 23 (16%) have not been evaluated yet. According to the Environmental Vulnerability Scores approach, 28 species (20%) are in the high vulnerability category. The Selva Zoque species composition is most similar to Los Tuxtlas and Lacandona regions, and most dissimilar to Sian Ka´an Biosphere Reserve. The reptilian fauna of Selva Zoque has a distinctive composition, with the highest number (11 species) of endemic reptiles in the northern Mesoamerican, and species from two biogeographic provinces: the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican Pacific Coast. These results indicate that the Selva Zoque is the most diverse region in native reptile species in northern Mesoamerica, highlighting it as extremely important for the conservation of the reptile fauna at local (southern Mexico) and regional levels (northern Mesoamerica).

Contrasting patterns of phylogenetic turnover in amphibians and reptiles are driven by environment and geography in Neotropical savannas

AbstractAimCross‐taxonomic congruence in biodiversity patterns is key to understanding the main drivers of community structure, for biogeographical regionalization and to guide conservation. We aim to map the patterns of phylogenetic turnover and disentangle the geographical and environmental factors that drive the phylogenetic composition of distinct faunal assemblages.LocationThe Cerrado savannas of South America.TaxaReptiles and amphibians.MethodsWe measured the proportion of phylogenetic branches shared among sites (i.e. phylogenetic turnover) using presence‐absence matrices for all species in the Cerrado and for endemics only, including only well‐sampled localities from previously compiled inventories. We then tested whether phylogenetic turnover is different from null expectations based on taxonomic turnover. We used generalized dissimilarity modelling (GDM) to test whether geography, topography, soil or climate best explain phylogenetic turnover. Finally, we mapped the observed and the GDM‐predicted clustering of phylogenetic turnover to assess geographical congruence between reptiles and amphibians.ResultsFor all reptiles, geographical distance is the most important factor explaining phylogenetic turnover, whereas for endemic reptiles and amphibians, in general, a set of climatic variables and relief roughness are more important. We did not find any significant correlation between the phylogenetic turnover of reptiles and amphibians, as evidenced by non‐congruent phylogenetic clustering and by different responses to geographical and environmental gradients.Main conclusionsThe different relationships of phylogenetic turnover of reptiles and amphibians to geographical and environmental distances have ultimately shaped the phylogenetic regionalization of these two groups. This incongruence indicates the differential importance of niche filtering, dispersal limitation and the influence of neighbouring biomes in the regionalization of different groups of organisms. Therefore, diversity patterns of one group should ideally not be used as a surrogate to map general patterns or to understand the drivers of diversity of other co‐occurring groups. Thus, conservation efforts need to be designed and implemented for each organismal group.

An annotated list of the reptiles of the highland grassland of Tandilia Mountains, Argentina

The study of biodiversity is a fundamental step to develop conservation strategies. Reptile populations are immersed in a global crisis, due to anthropic disturbances. Almost the entire Pampa ecoregion in Argentina was modified for agricultural and livestock activities, the only remnants of mountain native grasslands in Buenos Aires province being the Tandilia and Ventania mountain systems. Ventania reptiles have been exhaustively researched in last years, while Tandilia counts with fewer studies. We presented an actualized reptiles list of the Tandilia Mountain System. We used five data sources to collect presence records: literature, fieldwork, museum collection, citizen science, and a online database. The composition of reptiles from the Tandilia Mountain range includes 26 species in 12 families. Due to the presence of several endemic reptiles, and the representativeness of more than half of the reptiles of Pampa Ecoregion, Tandilia would be useful to determine conservation priority areas to conserve the native grassland and their reptile fauna.

Molecular phylogenetic estimates of evolutionary affinities and the first reports of phenotypic variation in two secretive, endemic reptiles from the Romblon Island Group, central Philippines) from Luzon Island, the Philippines

We report on the first molecular estimates of phylogenetic relationships of Brachymeles dalawangdaliri (Scincidae) and Pseudogekko isapa (Gekkonidae), and present new data on phenotypic variation in these two poorly known taxa, endemic to the Romblon Island Group of the central Philippines. Because both species were recently described on the basis of few, relatively older, museum specimens collected in the early 1970s (when preservation of genetic material was not yet standard practice in biodiversity field inventories), neither taxon has ever been included in modern molecular phylogenetic analyses. Likewise, because the original type series for each species consisted of only a few specimens, biologists have been unable to assess standard morphological variation in either taxon, or statistically assess the importance of characters contributing to their diagnoses and identification. Here we ameliorate both historical shortfalls. First, our new genetic data allowed us to perform novel molecular phylogenetic analyses aimed at elucidating the evolutionary relationships of these lineages; secondly, with population level phenotypic data, from the first statistical sample collected for either species, and including adults of both sexes. We reaffirm the distinctiveness of both named taxa as valid species, amend their diagnoses to facilitate the recognition of both, distinguish them from congeners, and consider the biogeographic affinities of both lineages. Our contribution emphasizes the conservation significance of Sibuyan Island’s Mt. Guiting-Guiting Natural Park, the diverse, idiosyncratic biogeographic histories of its variably-assembled, highly endemic reptile fauna, and the critical importance of multiple, repeated, survey–resurvey studies for understanding forest community species composition and the evolutionary history of Philippine biodiversity.

Origin and intraspecific diversification of the scincid lizard Ateuchosaurus pellopleurus with implications for historical island biogeography of the Central Ryukyus of Japan

The Central Ryukyus, a group of islands in southwestern Japan, harbor many endemic reptiles and amphibians, and the geographic ranges of the endemics are limited to south of the Tokara Gap, an old sea strait. Ateuchosaurus pellopleurus is a lizard with an exceptionally wide geographic range that encompasses the Central Ryukyus and north of the Tokara Gap. The intraspecific geographic variation of this species and the divergence time between A. pellopleurus and its sister species in southern China, Ateuchosaurus chinensis, were assessed by molecular phylogeographic analyses. The results indicated that the populations north of the gap were established by recent northward dispersal, prior to which the distribution of this species was limited to the Central Ryukyus. The estimated divergence time between A. pellopleurus and A. chinensis was in the Oligocene or Miocene, which was concordant with the divergence times of most Central Ryukyu endemics. These results demonstrated that A. pellopleurus is essentially a Central Ryukyu endemic that shares a common biogeographic history with other endemics. The common divergence times suggested that isolation of the endemics from their sister species in surrounding areas are attributable to geographic isolation by a tectonic event in the Miocene. In addition, A. pellopleurus showed distinct divergence between the populations in the northern and southern parts of the Central Ryukyus, and further diversification within and between islands in the southern part. Comparison of the phylogeographic patterns between this species and other endemics revealed that the present diversity in the Central Ryukyu endemics was formed by a complex history that involved occasional dispersal rather than simple vicariance events.

What's under the hood? Phylogeny and taxonomy of the snake genera ParasutaWorrell and Suta Worrell (Squamata: Elapidae), with a description of a newspecies from the Pilbara, Western Australia.

Despite decades of phylogenetic studies, the generic and species-level relationships of some Australian elapid snakes remain problematic. The morphologically conservative genus Parasuta comprises small nocturnal snakes with a particularly obfuscated taxonomic history. Here we provide a molecular phylogenetic analysis of all currently recognised species including members of the sister genus Suta and provide new morphological data that lead to a taxonomic revision of generic and species boundaries. We failed to find support for monophyly of Parasuta or Suta, instead supporting previous evidence that these two genera should be combined. Our species-level investigations revise the boundaries between P. gouldii (Gray) and P. spectabilis (Krefft) resulting in recognition that both P. spectabilis bushi (Storr) and P. spectabilis nullarbor (Storr) are conspecific with P. gouldii. We also find the Pilbara population of P. monachus (Storr) to be specifically distinct. As a consequence of this information, we synonymise Parasuta with its senior synonym Suta, redescribe S. gouldii, S. monachus and S. spectabilis to clarify morphological and geographical boundaries and describe S. gaikhorstorum sp. nov., which differs from all other described Suta species, including the geographically proximate and similar-looking S. monachus, by a combination of molecular genetic markers, morphometric attributes, details of colouration and scalation. The recognition of S. gaikhorstorum sp. nov. adds to the growing list of the many endemic reptiles from this exceptionally diverse biotic region. We also designate a lectotype for S. spectabilis from the original syntype series, highlight a distinctive population from the Great Victoria Desert in Western Australia and comment on further unresolved issues regarding the relationships between S. dwyeri (Worrell) and S. nigriceps (Gȕnther).

Micro-Hotspots for Conservation: An Umbrella Tree Species for the Unique Socotran Reptile Fauna

Umbrella species are defined as species that can be rare and sensitive to human disturbance, whose protection may confer the protection of other co-occurring species. The dragon’s blood tree Dracaena cinnabari Balf.f. was already considered an umbrella species on Socotra Island (Indic Ocean, Yemen) due to its ecological importance for some native biota. We studied the reptile community living on D. cinnabari from Socotra Island. We sampled reptiles on trees across most D. cinnabari populations and applied co-occurrence and network partition analyses to check if the presence of reptiles on D. cinnabari populations was random or structured. Regardless of its patched and scarce actual distribution, we report the use of this tree as a habitat by more than half of the reptile community (12 endemic reptiles). Co-occurrence and network partition analyses demonstrate that this community is structured across the distribution of dragon’s blood trees, reflecting complex allopatric, vicariant, and biotic interaction processes. Hence, these trees act as micro-hotspots for reptiles, that is, as areas where endemic and rare species that are under threat at the landscape scale co-occur. This Socotra endemic tree is currently threatened by overgrazing, overmaturity, and climate change. Its protection and declaration as an umbrella species are expected to benefit the reptile community and to protect evolutionary processes that are partially driven by the ecological links between reptiles and this tree. To our knowledge, no tree species has been proposed as an umbrella species for island vertebrate endemics so far, highlighting the ecological uniqueness of Socotra Island.

Habitat use by an endemic and a non-native gecko: natural habitat provides a last refuge for the Barbados Leaf-Toed gecko

ABSTRACT Island endemic reptiles face many threats that potentially have a negative effect on their conservation status, such as habitat loss, interactions with introduced predators and competitors, and stochastic environmental events. Since confirmation of the continued existence of the Barbados Leaf Toed gecko (Phyllodactylus pulcher) on the island of Barbados, West Indies, efforts have been made to increase ecological knowledge of the gecko in order to inform conservation direction and safeguard this critically endangered endemic species. The present study is the first to determine the microhabitat use of P. pulcher and that of the non-native gecko Hemidactylus mabouia on Barbados, and makes comparison to patterns of displacement of native geckos following Hemidactylus spp. invasions seen elsewhere. Factor Analyses of gecko locations and habitat data collected during night-time surveys indicated a strong non-random selection by P. pulcher for structurally diverse, rock habitat with an abundance of natural crevices. Where H. mabouia is present in natural habitat along the Barbados coast, the species also selected for exposed rocky habitat, albeit to a significantly lesser degree than did P. pulcher. Measures of body condition suggest the non-native gecko is less able to exploit such habitats and that its ability to thrive on Barbados is due to utilisation of a broader niche as befitting a habitat “generalist”, rather than competitive displacement of the native gecko from cliff side habitat. Our findings highlight the importance for protection of the remaining natural cliff side habitat and promotion of biosecurity on Barbados as being key to the survival of P. pulcher.

A new species of rock-dwelling gecko (Gekkonidae: Gehyra) from the Mt Surprise region of northern Queensland, Australia.

We describe a new species of rock-dwelling Gehyra Gray, 1834 (Gekkonidae) from the Einasleigh Uplands of inland north Queensland, Australia. Morphological, ecological, and molecular data clearly support the new species as distinct and place it within the 'australis group'. Gehyra electrum sp. nov. is distinguished from congeners by a combination of medium adult size (SVL 46-50 mm), an orange-brown to pinkish-orange background colouration with a pattern of distinct whitish spots and irregular black to purple-brown blotches or bars, possessing 7-8 undivided subdigital lamellae on the expanded portion of the fourth toe, and a wedge-shaped mental scale that separates the inner-postmental scales along 40% or more of their length. Gehyra electrum sp. nov. is a rock specialist currently known only from granite outcrops of the Mt Surprise region, Queensland. This is the second recently described Gehyra from the Einasleigh Uplands and adds to the growing number of endemic reptiles recognised in the region.

No safe haven: Protection levels show imperilled South African reptiles not sufficiently safe-guarded despite low average extinction risk

Compared to the global average, extinction risk for mainland African reptiles, particularly for South Africa, appears to be relatively low. Despite this, African reptiles are under threat primarily due to habitat loss as a result of agriculture, resource extraction, and urbanisation, and these pressures are expected to increase into the future. South Africa's reptile fauna is relatively well-studied, allowing an investigation of whether threat status assessment limitations are driving the comparably low threat status for the country, a large component of Africa's reptile fauna (ca. 25% of mainland African reptiles are found in South Africa). Extinction risk of South African reptiles was assessed as of 2018 using IUCN criteria and we ‘backcast’ these assessments to infer extinction risk circa 1990. A Red List Index (RLI: a measure of the extinction risk for a group of species) for 1990 and 2018 was estimated, and the protection level afforded to South African reptiles was investigated by intersecting reptile distributions with the network of protected areas. Finally, a coarse estimate of extinction rate was made. Level of extinction risk for South African reptiles (ca. 5.4%) is lower than the global average, and most currently threatened species would have already been at risk by 1990. The RLI was slightly lower for 2018 than for 1990, and the decrease was more prominent for endemic reptiles than for all reptiles combined. Most South African reptiles fall into the Well Protected category, implying that the protected area network has substantial conservation impact. However, many threatened reptile species are Poorly Protected or Not Protected. The current extent of the protected area network therefore, does not adequately mitigate extinction risk for reptiles. Furthermore, the protected area expansion plan for South Africa would not capture any additional threatened species within its boundaries. Despite the lower level of extinction risk indicated by IUCN assessments, it would be premature to assume that South African reptiles are faring better than reptiles globally based only on this one measure. Notably, two South African reptiles are Critically Endangered and theses are not found in protected areas, two others are already classified as Extinct, and rough estimates of extinction rates are similar to values estimated for other vertebrates. By considering additional metrics that are directly guided by our in-depth knowledge of the species, their distributions and the threats, we demonstrate that South African reptiles are under pressure and that risk of extinction is tangible for several species.

Trade in Endangered and Critically Endangered Japanese Herpetofauna Endemic to The Nansei Islands Warrants Increased Protection

Rare or newly discovered species are attractive targets for poaching as they often command a high value in the international market. Endemic species often have a very restricted range, making them extremely vulnerable to stochastic events and human activities, including poaching. Previous studies have shown that several species endemic to the Nansei Islands in Japan are available in the international pet trade. This paper further investigates the presence of live reptiles and amphibians endemic to the Nansei Islands in international pet trade. Seven Facebook groups and five classified websites were searched for these species, in addition to the CITES database and a spotcheck at Chatuchak market in Thailand. Nansei Island endemic reptiles and amphibians are more common in the international pet trade than initially thought. During the study period, advertisements for 23 species endemic to the Nansei Islands were found, comprising a total of 360 specimens. In addition, during a spot-check, 8 individuals of 2 subspecies of Japanese sword-tail newt were found at Chatuchak market in Thailand. Only three of these species are protected by the CITES and nine are regionally or nationally protected. Yet, ten species observed in international markets are classified as Endangered by IUCN and two even as Critically Endangered. The large numbers observed for the Endangered and Critically Endangered Goniurosaurus and Takydromus species warrants increased protection and a CITES Appendix III listing is recommended for these species.

Two new species of Acontias (Acontinae, Scincidae) from the Mpumalanga Highveld escarpment of South Africa.

The African genus of fossorial legless lizards (Acontias Cuvier) currently comprises 26 species and subspecies. In a recent study on the two disjunct populations of Acontias breviceps Essex, the presence of cryptic species was discovered. Here, we increase the sampling size and describe these disjunct populations from the Mpumalanga Escarpment of South Africa as new species. The new species differ from congeners based on a combination of factors, including the number of midbody, ventral, and subcaudal scale counts, ventral pigmentation, allopatric distributions, and genetic divergences. The new species are genetically distant from nominal A. breviceps, with which it shares overall pigmentation and scalation. The new description adds to the growing number of Mpumalanga escarpment endemic reptiles, and highlights the area as a biodiversity hotspot. The use of vertebral counts as a distinguishing character between species is briefly discussed.