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Home , Bronze caco, Cape grass lizard, Eastern Cape Parks, Homoroselaps lacteus, Natal sand frog, Nucras lalandii

Herpetology Notes, volume 13: 717-730 (2020) (published online on 25 August 2020)

Herpetofaunal survey of the Ongeluksnek (Malekgalonyane) Nature Reserve in the foothills of the , Province,

Werner Conradie1,2,* Brian Reeves3, Sandile Mdoko3, Lwandiso Pamla3, and Oyama Gxabhu3

Abstract. The results of a herpetofaunal survey of Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa are presented here. Combination of visual encounter survey methods and standard Y-shape trap arrays were used to conduct the survey. A total of 26 (eight and 18 ) were recorded, representing 29 quarter-degree grid cell records, of which 62% represented the first records for these units. Furthermore, we document the presence of three species of (Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia, Hemachatus haemachatus and lacteus) for the first time for the whole degree square of 3028 (approx. 100 km2). This study highlights the need to survey poorly known regions to enable us to understand and document the full distributional extent of species. We also discuss the impact of uncontrolled fires on the absence of specialised species during our survey.

Keywords. Amphibia, Reptilia, karroid, conservation, biodiversity, fire

Introduction has been done in the southern and western regions (e.g. Branch and Braack, 1987), while the northern and The herpetofaunal richness of South Africa is central areas associated with the former homelands of considered to be amongst the highest in the world the Ciskei and Transkei remained poorly surveyed. In (Branch, 1998; Bates et al., 2014; Du Preez and recent years a series of rapid biodiversity studies has Carruthers, 2017; Tolley et al., 2019). Even though increased our knowledge of herpetofauna occurring South Africa’s herpetofauna is considered fairly well along the Wild Coast (in the former Transkei homeland) studied, new species are still being described (for (Venter and Conradie, 2015) and the arid interior of the example, : Channing, 2012; Channing et al., 2013; Eastern Cape Province (Conradie et al., 2016). Channing and Baptista, 2013; Conradie, 2014; Wilson The Ongeluksnek (~Malekgalonyane) Nature Reserve and Channing, 2019; reptiles: Jacobson et al., 2014; (NR) is located in the north-eastern part of the Eastern Travers et al., 2014; Whiting et al., 2015; Heinicke et Cape Province, on the border between South Africa and al., 2017; Conradie et al., 2018, Bauer et al., 2019; Bates Lesotho. It is approximately 13 250 ha in extent. The and Stanley, 2020). Some areas of the country remain surrounding land tenure is primarily communal and land poorly surveyed, especially parts of the Northern Cape, use is predominantly large and small stock farming. The Eastern Cape and North West provinces (Bates et al., area around Ongeluksnek NR was farmed commercially 2014). Within the Eastern Cape Province, much work until the early 1980s when land was expropriated during the formation of the erstwhile Transkei homeland. The lower lying portions of the area were allocated to communal or subsistence farmers while the catchment areas were set aside as a conservation area, the 1 Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), P.O. Box 13147, Ongeluksnek NR, which was declared in 1990. The Humewood, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. reserve has a history of consumptive utilisation. Local 2 School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, farmers were previously allowed to graze the lowland Nelson Mandela University, George, South Africa. 3 Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency, 17-25 Oxford Street, areas of the reserve under a permit system. An inspection East London, South Africa. of vegetation condition in 1994 revealed that the area * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] was heavily overgrazed and vulnerable to accelerated 718 Werner Conradie et al. soil erosion. Recommendations were made to rest the time-constrained and, between them, documented only vegetation and manage by fires, but these were not four species of reptiles and amphibians. implemented. At this point the reserve was severely This study forms part of a series of rapid surveys to invaded by alien plants and subjected to frequent illegal improve biodiversity inventory data of protected areas grazing, uncontrolled fire and poaching of wildlife managed by ECPTA within the Eastern Cape Province. (ECPTA, 2012). In 1997 attempts were made by the The purpose of these surveys are to: a) develop and update post-apartheid government to improve the management the biodiversity inventories of protected areas, b) assess of the reserve, in partnership with traditional leaders and the biodiversity features in terms of conservation value, surrounding communities. The Eastern Cape Parks and c) identify and sites of conservation concern, Tourism Agency (ECPTA) assumed responsibility for and d) to create benchmark datasets for environmental the reserve in 2004 but, due to limited resources, this change and anthropogenic impact research. organisation has experienced challenges in increasing management effectiveness on the reserve (ECPTA, Material and Methods 2012). Study Site.—Ongeluksnek NR falls within the Eastern No formal herpetological surveys have been Cape Province part of the Drakensberg Mountains undertaken for this reserve, although in the late 1980s the (Fig. 1). The elevation is highest in the west, along the late Bill Branch (Port Elizabeth Museum) conducted a Lesotho border, at about 2,700 m above sea level (a.s.l.) brief one-day survey at Ongeluksnek NR, while Marius and lowest in the east, where it drops to about 1,500 Burger (former Eastern Cape Nature Conservation) m a.s.l. A high-lying (at approximately 2,500 m a.s.l.) visited the reserve briefly in 1996. Both ‘surveys’ were plateau occurs on the western boundary. The geology

Figure 1. Topographic map indicating the position of Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve (green polygon) and the quarter-degree grid cells it covers (blue lines: major rivers, grey lines: provincial or country boundaries). Herpetofaunal survey of the Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, South Africa 719 of the reserve is predominantly of the Drakensberg is about 1,000 mm in the foothills and around 1,800 Group, which is basaltic lava with minor sandstone, mm on the escarpment. Snow occurs with an average tuff and agglomerate. The Clarens Formation occurs frequency of approximately eight days per year, mainly on the lower-lying eastern portion of the reserve and in winter, although snow falls have been recorded for all comprises fine-grained sandstone and siltstone. More months of the year. Berg winds are prevalent between recent Quaternary alluvial deposits occur in the river August and September while local topographically- systems (Johnson and Wolmarans, 2008). induced winds occur as a result of solar heating of the The reserve is situated predominately within the ground during the day and cooling during the night Grassland . The higher lying areas in the west (ECPTA, 2012). are vegetated by Lesotho Highland Basalt Grassland. Survey.—A herpetofauna survey was conducted in There are extensive wetlands on the plateaus in these the reserve from 18 to 28 February 2019. The survey areas and these are classified as Lesotho Mires. At involved active searches and passive trapping. Four Y- intermediate elevations in the central part of the reserve, shape trap arrays (each array consisting of three 10–15 the vegetation is Southern Drakensberg Highland m long, 50 cm high, drift fences positioned in a Y-shape Grassland, while the lower lying areas in the east is East with a single pitfall trap in the middle, two one-way Griqualand Grassland. A small section of Mabela Sandy funnels per fence, and a one-way funnel at the end of Grassland also occurs here (Mucina and Rutherford, each arm, see Fig. 2 and Table 1) were set up in different 2006). habitats. An additional trap array (Trap 3) comprised a Ongeluksnek NR is mainly influenced by subtropical single straight drift fence of about 30 m that utilised six anticyclones and receives predominantly summer funnel traps with a pitfall trap in the middle. rain, principally as orographic rain from squall-line Vouchers (two to five individuals) were collected for thunderstorms (ECPTA, 2012). Annual precipitation each species, while all other specimens were released

Figure 2. Arial images demonstrating the arrangement of the four trap arrays employed at Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve. All images are orientated in a northern direction. 720 Werner Conradie et al.

Table 1. Trap array sites for the survey, with brief descriptions and numbers of days installed. Table 1. Trap array sites for the survey, with brief habitat descriptions and numbers of days installed.

Trap Site Latitude (S) Longitude (E) Altitude (m) Description Trap days 1 -30.33425˚ 28.35612˚ 1596 Rocky outcrop with young grass 8 2 -30.33473˚ 28.35295˚ 1607 Rocky outcrop with young grass 8 3 -30.33087˚ 28.35196˚ 1540 Bank of artificial dam 8 4 -30.34124˚ 28.32787˚ 1770 Grassy Scrubland 7 5 -30.34236˚ 28.31880˚ 1767 Dry Wetland with young grass 7

Table 2. Summary of the number of species and subspecies recorded at Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, and the at capturenumber site. of new Voucher quarter-degree specimens grid cell were (QDGC) humanely records forthe South current Africa. survey. No additional historic records euthanised by injecting reptiles with, and submerging exist for the reserve, although one other reptile species frogs in, tricaine methanesulfonate (MS222)Ongeluksnek solution Nature(Psammophylax Reserve rhombeatus) has been recorded (ConroyNumber et al., of 2009). reptile Specimens species were then fixed in 10% 18from the same Quarter Degree Grid Cell (QDGC). formalinNumber before of QDGC being records preserved in ethanol. Genetic 18Although Branch and Burger also recorded additional materialNumber was collectedof new QDGC from records each voucher specimen and 15species (Breviceps verrucosus, Strongylopus grayii stored in 96% ethanol. All specimens are deposited at and Xenopus laevis), these were not substantiated Percentage new QDGC records (%) 83 Port Elizabeth Museum, South Africa. by voucher specimens and only mentioned in their personal unpublished field notes or internal reports. Species Identification.—Species identifications were Number of species 11The South Africa Atlas Project (Minter et al., based on the use of relevant field guides or published Number of QDGC records 112014) also recorded additional amphibian records identification keys (reptiles: Broadley, 1983; Branch, (Sclerophrys capensis and natalensis), 1998;Number frogs: Channing, of new QDGC 2001; records Du Preez and Carruthers, 3 mostly originating from the records of staff at the 2017;Percentage Channing new and QDGC Rödel, records 2019; (%) tadpoles: Channing 27 reserve. The additional records bring the total number et al., 2012) and comparison to other material housed in of recorded amphibian species on the reserve to 11. the Port Elizabeth Museum. Nomenclature was based on The survey documents a total of 29 QDGC species established online databases (amphibian: Frost, 2020; records, of which 83% of reptile and 27% of amphibian reptiles: Uetz et al., 2020), updated where appropriate. records are new records for those QDGCs (Table 2). Data collection.—The Port Elizabeth Museum Furthermore, three records, namely, Crotaphopeltis database and other major museums’ databases housing hotamboeia, Hemachatus haemachatus and South African herpetological material were consulted in Homoroselaps lacteus, represent the first full degree order to obtain data of voucher specimens previously grid cell record for unit 3028 (approx. 100 km2). Four collected within the boundaries of Ongeluksnek NR. additional records from our survey represent only Additionally, we consulted virtual museum platforms the second species record for the entire degree grid (e.g. ReptileMap ~ http://vmus.adu.org.za and cell (Pachydactylus maculatus, Dasypeltis scabra, iNaturalist ~ www.inaturalist.org) in order to obtain Gerrhosaurus flavigularis, and capensis). additional (non-vouchered) records. Our survey recorded one undescribed species in the Leptoptyphlops sylvicolus group (see species account). Results Species Accounts.—The species accounts are grouped A total of 26 species, representing eight amphibian into three sections, Amphibia (frogs), Sauria () (four families) and 18 reptile (11 families: 10 lizards and Serpentes (snakes). Within these groups we ordered and eight snakes) species were recorded during the species accounts by Family and then alphabetically survey. Previous ad hoc surveys by Bill Branch within these families. We provide information on in 1980 and Marius Burger in 1996 recorded four voucher numbers and sampling localities (latitude common species (Amietia delalandi, Semnodactylus and longitude in decimal degrees, and elevation in wealii, Pseudocordylus subviridis and Trachylepis meters). Brief notes on identification, , and/or punctatissima), all of which were also recorded during natural history are also given when appropriate under Table 1. Trap array sites for the survey, with brief habitat descriptions and numbers of days installed.

Trap Site Latitude (S) Longitude (E) Altitude (m) Description Trap days 1 -30.33425˚ 28.35612˚ 1596 Rocky outcrop with young grass 8 2 -30.33473˚ 28.35295˚ 1607 Rocky outcrop with young grass 8 3 -30.33087˚ 28.35196˚ 1540 Bank of artificial dam 8 4 -30.34124˚ 28.32787˚ 1770 Grassy Scrubland 7 5 -30.34236˚ 28.31880˚ 1767 Dry Wetland with young grass 7 Herpetofaunal survey of the Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, South Africa 721

Table 2. Summary of the number of species and subspecies recorded at Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, and the number of new Table 2. Summary of the number of species and subspecies recorded at Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, and the quarter-degree grid cell number(QDGC) of records new quarter-degree for South Africa. grid cell (QDGC) records for South Africa.

Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve Number of reptile species 18 Number of QDGC records 18 Number of new QDGC records 15 Percentage new QDGC records (%) 83

Number of amphibian species 11 Number of QDGC records 11 Number of new QDGC records 3 Percentage new QDGC records (%) 27

‘Comments’. Abbreviations: TM – Distsong Museum Vandijkophrynus gariepensis gariepensis (Smith, of Natural History (formerly Transvaal Museum), DM 1848) – Durban Natural Science Museum. Karoo Toad (Fig. 3B) Material (4 specimens): PEM A14161, -30.33815˚ Amphibia 28.25941˚, 2,359 m a.s.l., 26 February 2019; PEM Brevicipitidae A14166–7, PEM A14169, -30.33828˚ 28.25230˚, 2,519 m a.s.l., 26 February 2019. Breviceps verrucosus Rapp, 1842 Comments: The new material conforms to the typical Plaintive Rain Frog form, V. g. gariepensis. Two subspecies are recognised, a Comments: No new material was collected during largely karroid species, V. g. gariepensis and a montane the current survey. Branch (unpublished field notes) grassland species, V. g. nubicolis. Despite concern reported that he had heard numerous Breviceps (possibly over the validity of the latter subspecies (e.g. Branch B. verrucossus) calling during the evenings, after mist & Braack 1989; Branch 1990; Bates & Haacke 2003), had rolled in and during the night’s rainstorm (approx. its status remains equivocal and a modern phylogenetic -30.33880˚ 28.27371˚, 2,199 m a.s.l., 22 November study is required to resolve its status. 1980). This population of rain frogs has historically been assigned to B. maculatus FitzSimons, 1947, but Hyperoliidae its distinctiveness from B. verrucossus was disputed by Kassina senegalensis (Duméril and Bibron, 1841) Passmore and Carruthers (1979) and Channing (1989) Bubbling Kassina based on similarity of their advertisement calls. Material: PEM A14154 (tadpoles), -30.33001˚ Bufonidae 28.36814˚, 1,572 m a.s.l., 27 February 2019. Comments: Calls were heard, but only tadpoles were Sclerophrys capensis Tschudi, 1838 collected, from a small dam at the main gate of the Raucous Toad (Fig. 3A) reserve. Material (2 specimens): PEM A14160, -30.29804˚ 28.36038˚, 1565 m a.s.l., 20 February 2019; PEM Semnodactylus wealii (Boulenger, 1882) A14152, -30.33724˚ 28.34777˚, 1,682 m a.s.l., 21 Rattling Frog February 2019. Material (2 specimens): PEM A6906, -30.33028˚ Comments: Specimens were caught in traps and 28.35250˚, 1,580 m a.s.l., 24 October 1996: PEM collected under stones. A14155 (tadpoles), -30.33001˚ 28.36814˚, 1,572 m a.s.l., 22 February 2019. 722 Werner Conradie et al.

Comments: Calls were heard, but only tadpoles were winter-breeding species that is expected in the reserve collected, from a small dam at the main gate of the and is thus included in the final species list, although reserve. specimens need to be collected to validate its presence.

Pipidae Tomopterna natalensis (Smith, 1849) Natal Sand Frog Xenopus laevis (Daudin, 1802) Common Platanna (Fig. 3C) Comments: No new material was collected during this survey. This record is based on a call recorded during Material (5 specimens): PEM A14156–9, -30.33001˚ the Frog Atlas Project and needs verification. Until such 28.36814˚, 1,572 m a.s.l., 22 February 2019. time, we include this record as it is within the species’ Comments: Both tadpoles and adults were collected in predicted range (Minter et al., 2014). the small dam at the main gate of the reserve.

Reptilia Amietia delalandii (Duméril and Bibron, 1841) Common River Frog (Fig. 3D) Sauria Material (7 specimens): PEM A384, approx. - Agamidae 30.33815˚ 28.25941˚, 2,396 m a.s.l., 22 November 1980; Agama atra Daudin, 1802 PEM A7047, -30.33222˚ 28.35528˚, 1,574 m a.s.l., 24 Southern Rock Agama (Fig. 4A) October 1996, PEM A14162–4, -30.33611˚ 28.35800˚, 1,662 m a.s.l., 20 February 2019; PEM A14150–1, - Material (4 specimens): PEM R24835, -30.34561˚ 30.33920˚ 28.33389˚, 1,685 m a.s.l., 25 February 2019. 28.31956˚, 1,841 m a.s.l., 22 February 2019; PEM Comments: This species was found to be very common R24845, -30.29247˚ 28.34484˚, 1,620 m a.s.l., 19 in the reserve, associated with streams or seepages. February 2019; PEM R24847, -30.29116˚ 28.34615˚, 1,588 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019; PEM R24854, boettgeri (Boulenger, 1882) -30.33611˚ 28.35800˚, 1,662 m a.s.l., 19 February Boettger’s Caco (Fig. 3E) 2019. Comments: This species was commonly observed Material (2 specimens): PEM A14165, -30.33611˚ throughout most of the reserve basking on elevated 28.35800˚, 1,662 m a.s.l., 20 February 2019; PEM positions on rocks or termite mounds. A14168, -30.33087˚ 28.35196˚, 1,540 m a.s.l., 23 February 2019. Comments: Specimens were collected under stones far from water. cordylus (Linnaeus, 1758) Cape Girdled (Fig. 4B) Cacosternum nanum Boulenger, 1887 Material (2 specimens): PEM R24830, -30.33441˚ Bronze Caco 28.33194˚, 1,689 m a.s.l., 21 February 2019; PEM Material (tadpoles): PEM A14153, -30.33001˚ R24836, -30.34433˚ 28.32208˚, 1,541 m a.s.l., 22 28.36814˚, 1,572 m a.s.l., 22 February 2019. February 2019. Comments: Specimens were heard calling, but no Comments: Specimens were collected from only a adults were captured. Tadpoles were caught in the small small part of the reserve associated with sandstone and dam at the main gate of the reserve. basalt outcrops.

Strongylopus grayii (Smith, 1849) Pseudocordylus subviridis (Smith, 1838) Clicking Stream Frog Drakensberg Crag Lizard (Fig. 4C) Comments: No material was collected. Branch Material (19 specimens): PEM R2516–2523, 2665– (unpublished field notes) reported the presence of a 69, approx. -30.33815˚ 28.25942˚, 2,399 m a.s.l., 22 juvenile Strongylopus grayii at the old farm Killarney, November 1980; PEM R13365, -30.33889˚ 28.25556˚, but it was not collected. This is a widely distributed 2,484 m a.s.l., 25 October 1996; PEM R24849–50, Herpetofaunal survey of the Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, South Africa 723

Figure 3. Plate of selected amphibians collected at Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve. A – Sclerophrys capensis (adult female), B – Sclerophrys capensis (juvenile), C – Vandijkophrynus gariepensis gariepensis, D– Xenopus laevis, E – Amietia delalandi, F – Cacosternum boettgeri.

-30.33853˚ 28.25525˚, 2,449 m a.s.l., 26 February 2019; Gekkonidae PEM R24851–2, -30.33815˚ 28.25942˚, 2359 m a.s.l., Pachydactylus maculatus Gray, 1845 26 February 2019; PEM R24861, -30.33828˚ 28.25230˚, Spotted Gecko (Fig. 4D) 2,519 m a.s.l., 26 February 2019. Comments: Very common at higher altitudes on the Material (1 specimens): PEM R24829, -30.33648˚ mountain pass to Lesotho. 28.35274˚, 1,670 m a.s.l., 25 February 2019. Comments: One juvenile was collected under a stone. This is only the second record for the entire degree cell. The other record is from near Umhlangeni (PEM R13359‒60, -30.31056˚ 28.63833˚, 3028BC). 724 Werner Conradie et al.

Figure 4. Plate of selected lizards collected at Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve. A – Agama atra, B – Cordylus cordylus, C – Pseudocordylus subviridis (male), D – Pachydactylus maculatus (PEM R24829), E – Gerrhosaurus flavigularis, F – lalandii, G – burchelli, H – Trachylepis capensis, I – Trachylepis punctatissima, J – Trachylepis varia (PEM R24841). Herpetofaunal survey of the Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, South Africa 725

Gerrhosauridae Comments: Only the second record for the entire degree grid cell. The other record is from west of Gerrhosaurus flavigularis Wiegmann, 1828 Matatiele (-30.29833˚ 28.64528˚). Yellow-throated Plated Lizard (Fig. 4E)

Material (5 specimens): PEM R24853, -30.34430˚ Trachylepis punctatissima (Smith, 1849) 28.29603˚, 1,926 m a.s.l., 26 February 2019; PEM Speckled Rock (Fig. 4I) R24868, -30.33087˚ 28.35196˚, 1,540 m a.s.l., 19 Material (11 specimens): PEM R2524–8, PEM February 2019; PEM R24869, -30.33087˚ 28.35196˚, R2698, approx. -30.33880˚ 28.27371˚, 2,199 m a.s.l., 22 1,540 m a.s.l., 21 February 2019; PEM R24870, - November 1980; PEM R13366, -30.33889˚ 28.25556˚, 30.33087˚ 28.35196˚, 1,540 m a.s.l., 24 February 2019; PEM R24875, -30.34124˚ 28.32787˚, 1,770 m a.s.l., 24 2,477 m a.s.l., 25 October 1996; PEM R24842–3, - February 2019. 30.33953˚ 28.31861˚, 1,788 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019; Comments: This was one of the most common lizards PEM R24859–60, -30.33611˚ 28.35800˚, 1,662 m a.s.l., caught in our traps. The record represents only the 19 February 2019. second one for the whole degree cell. Other records are Comments: This is one of the most abundant reptile near Zitapile (PEM R20388-9, -30.55472˚ 28.85417˚). species observed in the reserve, in both natural habitat and among man-made structures (e.g. buildings, vulture hide).

Nucras lalandii (Milne-Edwards, 1829) Trachylepis varia (Peters, 1844) Delalande’s Sandveld Lizard (Fig. 4F) Variable Skink (Fig. 4J) Material (5 specimens): PEM R24831, -30.33396˚ Material (3 specimens): PEM R24841, -30.34561˚ 28.33226˚, 1,674 m a.s.l., 21 February 2019; PEM 28.31956˚, 1,841 m a.s.l., 22 February 2019; PEM R24832–3, -30.33724˚ 28.34777˚, 1,682 m a.s.l., 21 R24844, -30.28843˚ 28.34070˚, 1,564 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019; PEM R24865, -30.33424˚ 28.35612˚, February 2019; PEM R24846, -30.29247˚ 28.34484˚, 1,596 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019; PEM R24867, - 1,620 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019. 30.33473˚ 28.35295˚, 1,607 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019. Comments: This is another very abundant species Comments: Numerous specimens were collected by observed throughout the reserve. hand under rocks, and others captured in traps. Serpentes Pedioplanis burchelli (Duméril and Bibron, 1839) Burchell’s Sand Lizard (Fig. 4G) Colubridae Material (6 specimens): PEM R24834, -30.33868˚ Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia (Laurenti, 1768) 28.34764˚, 1,691 m a.s.l., 21 February 2019; PEM Red-lipped (Fig. 5A) R24839–40, -30.34561˚ 28.31956˚, 1,841 m a.s.l., 22 Material (1 specimens): PEM R24876, -30.34237˚ February 2019; PEM R24857–8, -30.33611˚ 28.35800˚, 28.31880˚, 1,767 m a.s.l., 27 February 2019. 1662 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019; PEM R24858, - Comments: This represents the first record for the 30.33611˚ 28.35800˚, 1,662 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019. degree cell. The nearest other record is for Farm Lyndale Comments: Common in the reserve and associated (TM 49363, 3027DB). with rocky areas. Dasypeltis scabra (Linnaeus, 1758) Scincidae Rhombic Egg-eater (Fig. 5B) Trachylepis capensis (Gray, 1831) Material (2 specimens): PEM R24855–6, -30.33611˚ Cape Skink (Fig. 4H) 28.35800˚, 1,662 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019. Material (3 specimens): PEM R24828, -30.33814˚ Comments: This is only the second record for the 28.33870˚, 1,687 m a.s.l., 23 February 2019; PEM whole degree grid cell. The nearest other record is at R24878, -30.34237˚ 28.31880˚, 1,767 m a.s.l., 22 Cedarville, Mvenyane Mission (DM R18 and 22, - February 2019; PEM R24879, -30.34237˚ 28.31880˚, 30.4950˚ 28.9375˚). A third specimen was collected 1,767 m a.s.l., 26 February 2019. from the Jordan River side of the reserve (-30.29247˚ 726 Werner Conradie et al.

Figure 5. Plate of selected snakes collected at Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve. A – Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia (PEM R24876), B – Dasypeltis scabra, C – Hemachatus haemachatus (PEM R24871), D – Homoroselaps lacteus (PEM R24864), E – Lycodonomorphus rufulus, F – Psammophylax rhombeatus, G – Psammophis crucifer, H – Leptotyphlops sp. Herpetofaunal survey of the Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, South Africa 727

28.34484˚, 1,620 m a.s.l.), but escaped before being R24866, -30.33424˚ 28.35612˚, 1,596 m a.s.l., 23 photographed or processed. February 2019. Comments: This represents the first record for the Elapidae QDGC. The closest record is from the Maclear region Hemachatus haemachatus Bonnaterre, 1790 (Broadley, 1983). Rinkhals (Fig. 5C) Leptotyphlopidae Material (1 specimen): PEM R24871, -30.33087˚ 28.35196˚, 1,540 m a.s.l., 24 February 2019. Leptotyphlops sp. Comments: This represents the first record for the full Undescribed thread snake (Fig. 5H) degree cell. The closest other record is at Farm Clifton Material (3 specimens): PEM R24827, -30.33814˚ (TM 49612, 3027DB). 28.33870˚, 1,687 m a.s.l., 23 February 2019; PEM R24837–8, -30.34561˚ 28.31956˚, 1,841 m a.s.l., 22 February 2019. Homoroselaps lacteus (Linnaeus, 1758) Comments: During a recent large-scale phylogenetic Spotted Harlequin Snake (Fig. 5D) study, Leptoptyphlops specimens were collected from near Matatiele (PEM R18154–5, Fever Village, 79 km Material (1 specimen): PEM R24864, -30.33424˚ SW Cedarville, -30.53556˚ 28.82722˚), 60 km south- 28.35612˚, 1,596 m a.s.l., 26 February 2019. east of Ongeluksnek NR. It is part of the L. sylvicolus Comments: Broadley (1983) recognised three colour group (Adalsteinsson et al., 2009). True L. sylvicolus varieties: blotched, striped and barred. The striped form is known from forest habitat, and the above material is mostly associated with inland montane grassland and our specimen conforms to it. is from grassland and is genetically different from the forest samples. Busschau (2019) expanded on this Lycodonomorphus rufulus (Lichtenstein, 1823) study and included the Ongeluksnek NR samples, Brown Water Snake (Fig. 5E) documented additional genetic structure, and assigned the grassland clade of the interior of the Eastern Cape Material (2 specimens): PEM R24872, -30.33087˚ Province to an undescribed species. Further studies are 28.35196˚, 1,540 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019; PEM underway to formally describe this grassland form. R24873, -30.33087˚ 28.35196˚, 1,540 m a.s.l., 24 February 2019. Discussion Comments: Both specimens were collected in a trap near a water body. The closest other record is 50 km To the best of our knowledge our survey is the first east, from near Matatiele (PEM R21007, -30.46972˚ formal reptile and amphibian inventory of Ongeluksnek 28.93889˚). NR. Although we found no threatened amphibian or reptile species, and most of the species encountered Psammophylax rhombeatus (Linnaeus, 1758) are widespread and common, our survey resulted in a Spotted Grass Snake / Skaapsteker (Fig. 5F) considerable number of new QDGC records, and even a few new records for the entire 3028 degree grid cell. Material (4 specimens): PEM R24862, -30.33152˚ This study has thus contributed to the understanding 28.34776˚, 1,576 m a.s.l., 23 February 2019; PEM R24863–4, -30.33152˚ 28.34776˚, 1,576 m a.s.l., 25 of the distribution and occurrence of South Africa’s February 2019; PEM R24877, -30.34237˚ 28.31880˚, herpetofauna by filling a substantial spatial gap in 1,767 m a.s.l., 21 February 2019. survey effort and focusing on an area that has been Comments: This is one of the most common snakes poorly studied for herpetofauna. encountered during the survey. As a result of the recent fires, the reserve had low habitat heterogeneity, being composed almost entirely Psammophiinae of young grassland (at lower elevations) and young shrubland (at higher elevations). Habitat heterogeneity Psammophis crucifer (Daudin, 1803) is generally positively correlated with species richness Cross-marked Grass Snake (Fig. 5G) for herpetofauna and other taxonomic groups (see Material (2 specimens): PEM R24848, -30.29509˚ Báldi, 2008; Tews et al., 2003). The reserve may be 28.37040˚, 1,553 m a.s.l., 19 February 2019; PEM at an early stage of faunal succession with respect to 728 Werner Conradie et al. herpetofauna, with several climax-stage species (those (Bates, 2014a, b), with frequent anthropogenic fire requiring mature vegetation, e.g. Chamaesaura aenea being suspected as a major contributor. Tetradactylus and C. anguina) being absent (see Letnic et al., 2004). spp. (another taxon that we expected to encounter during The relatively small home ranges of amphibians and the survey, but did not find) are similarly vulnerable to reptiles make them vulnerable to local extinction after fire (Bates, 2014c, d). disturbances (Rios-López and Aide, 2007) such as fire. Over and above the direct effects of fire through Fire is a natural occurrence in the Grassland Biome mortality, fire also influences herpetofaunal diversity (Coombs, 2015) and the species occurring there have through its effect on vegetation cover. Vegetation cover evolved mechanisms to deal with it (Russell et al., is generally positively correlated with post-fire age, 1999). However, humans have directly and indirectly although post-fire vegetation accumulation can vary altered the pattern of fire in the landscape, changing with land use (e.g. grazing intensity), the timing of fires, aspects such as frequency, intensity and seasonality, rainfall and soil conditions. Masterson et al. (2008) and possibly pushing species beyond their evolved found vegetation cover to be the driver of herpetofaunal capacity to mitigate this disturbance (see Branch, species richness at all sites surveyed in the Suikerbosrand 2014). The outcomes of our survey were probably Nature Reserve. If our survey effort is repeated at a later influenced by the fact that almost the entire reserve had date, once the vegetation matures and cover increases, burned in the previous year. Responses of herpetofaunal additional species may be recorded. assemblages to fire have been poorly studied (Russell It is important that reserve management strives to et al., 1999; Ruthven et al., 2008). Data from Texas allow for habitat heterogeneity on the reserve by not (United States of America) suggest that, in the long- allowing large fires to burn down the entire reserve all term, fire could increase diversity and abundance of at once. Firebreaks should be implemented, and fires grassland herpetofaunal species, and that fire can be should be responded to where feasible, according to used to manage rangelands without negative effects an adaptive fire management plan. Formal protected on herpetofauna (Ruthven et al., 2008). Similarly, areas are generally regarded as secure refugia for the Masterson et al. (2008) found that the long-term fire conservation of herpetofauna (Tolley et al., 2019). history of grassland sites within the Suikerbosrand However, if they are to serve as such, it is important Nature Reserve in Gauteng, South Africa, had no that the habitat requirements of reptile and frog species significantly negative effects on herpetofaunal species are taken into account, and that appropriate reserve richness or composition. However, the findings of these management is practised. studies must be considered with the caveat that the sites examined contained unburned patches of intermediate- Acknowledgments. The authors would like to thank Mbuyiselo aged and older vegetation that allowed for recolonisation Gxashi (Reserve Manager: Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve) and his after fire. The near complete burn of Ongeluksnek staff, including the field rangers, environmental monitors and the NR, and large parts of the surrounding landscape, left Working on Fire team, for their support of the survey. The authors virtually no such patches. As a possible consequence, would like to extend a special word of thanks to Sandile Mdoko we did not encounter the two specialised Chamaesaura for managing the logistics for the survey. Permits were issued by species (C. aenea and C. anguina), which we suspect Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency and ethical clearance was granted by Bayworld Ethics Committee (# 2017_02). to be present in the reserve. These species do not seek refuge in burrows or rock crevices as some other reptiles do, but rather flee from fires (Coombs, 2015). Large fires References will kill most individuals, leaving small populations Adalsteinsson, S.A., Branch, W.R., Trape, S., Vitt, L.J., Hedges, S.B. surviving in unburned patches to later repopulate burned (2009): Molecular phylogeny, classification, and biogeography areas (Du Toit et al., 2003; Bates, 2014a, b). The absence of snakes of the family Leptotyphlopidae (Reptilia, Squamata). of unburned patches in Ongeluksnek NR may have left Zootaxa 50:1–50. no surviving populations to recolonise burned areas, Alexander, G.J. (2014): Hemachatus haemachatus (Bonnaterre, and this may have resulted in local extinctions of these 1790). In: Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M. Burger, M., Marais, J. Alexander, G.J., De Villiers, M.S. (eds). Atlas and Red species. It is also possible that these species are present List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. on the reserve, but were simply not encountered. Across Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute, their distributions both species are suspected to have Pretoria. undergone a substantial population reduction in the past Báldi, A. (2008): Habitat heterogeneity overrides the species-area two decades and may soon be regarded as threatened relationship. Journal of Biogeography 35: 675–681. Herpetofaunal survey of the Ongeluksnek Nature Reserve, South Africa 729

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Accepted by Anamarija Zagar