Herpetology Notes, volume 14: 1087-1099 (2021) (published online on 12 August 2021)

Herpetological survey of The Island Nature Reserve in Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Province, South

Brian Reeves1,*, Sandile Mdoko1,2, Alexander D. Rebelo3, and Werner Conradie3,4

Abstract. We present the results of a herpetofaunal survey of The Island Nature Reserve in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, . This study forms part of a series of rapid surveys to improve biodiversity inventory data of protected areas within the province. Visual encounter survey methods and standard Y-shape trap arrays were used to conduct the survey in November 2017. A total of 28 (seven and 21 ) were recorded, representing 21 new reserve records and three new species records at the Quarter Degree Grid Cell scale.

Keywords. Amphibia, Reptilia, thicket-forest, conservation, biodiversity

Introduction exotic tree plantation. Clearing of indigenous forest for the planting of pine and Eucalyptus started in 1948 and South Africa has a rich herpetofaunal diversity continued until 1985. At this point forestry efforts were (Branch, 1998; Bates et al., 2014; du Preez and abandoned due to the poor quality and low volumes Carruthers, 2017; Tolley et al., 2019) and even though of the timber produced. The land was handed over the country’s herpetofauna is considered fairly well- to the provincial conservation authority in 1986 and studied, new species are still being described (for proclaimed as a State Forest (ECPTA, 2011) under the example, – Channing, 2012; Conradie, 2014; Forestry Act (Act 122 of 1984). After proclamation, Wilson and Channing, 2019; reptiles – Jacobsen et al., the reserve was managed by the Cape Provincial 2014; Conradie et al., 2018; Bauer et al., 2019). Administration and then by the Provincial Department The Island Nature Reserve (NR) is 484 ha in extent and of Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and is situated in the southwestern sector of Nelson Mandela Tourism. It is currently managed by the Eastern Cape Bay Municipality, between the peri-urban Colleen Glen Parks and Tourism Agency (ECPTA). area and Seaview Village. The surrounding land is In this paper we present the results of a primarily privately owned and is used for small-scale herpetofaunal survey that was conducted in The agriculture, recreational, and residential purposes. The Island NR. This study forms part of a series of rapid Island NR was originally managed by the Department surveys to improve biodiversity inventory data of of Forestry and intended for the development of an protected areas managed by the ECPTA within the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The purposes of these surveys are to (a) develop and 1 Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency, 17–25 Oxford Street, update the biodiversity inventories of protected areas, East London, South Africa. (b) assess the biodiversity encountered in terms of 2 South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch conservation value, (c) identify habitats and sites Research Centre, Claremont, South Africa. of conservation concern, and (d) create benchmark 3 Port Elizabeth Museum (Bayworld), PO Box 13147, datasets for environmental change and anthropogenic Humewood, Port Elizabeth, South Africa. 4 Department of Nature Conservation Management, Natural impact research. Concurrent to the purposes listed Resource Science and Management Cluster, Faculty of above, the surveys are also part of efforts to grow Science, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, the herpetology collection of the Port Elizabeth George, South Africa. Museum (PEM) so that a representative sample of the * Corresponding author. E-mail: [email protected] province’s herpetofauna is curated for taxonomical © 2021 by Herpetology Notes. Open Access by CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. and other research purposes. 1088 Brian Reeves et al.

Material and Methods mosaic of forest intergrading into Albany Thicket, with some elements. Three vegetation units have Study Site. The Island NR is split into two portions been identified for the reserve in the Nelson Mandela by Seaview Road (MR422), with the largest portion Bay Bioregional Plan (NMBM, 2014), namely situated to the west of this road (Fig. 1). The Island Sardinia Bay Forest Thicket, Bushy Park Indian Ocean NR falls within the 3325CD Quarter Degree Grid Cell Forest, and Chelsea Forest Thicket Mosaic. (QDGC). The reserve is situated in a highly fragmented The geology of The Island NR comprises primarily landscape. Most of the land adjacent to the northern stabilised dunes of Quaternary aeolian sands which and eastern boundaries of The Island NR has been have poor water retention capacity. These sands transformed for agricultural or residential purposes. are underlain by semi-consolidated to consolidated However, this reserve and other smaller local calcareous sandstone and sandy limestone of the authority reserves (Maitlands and Sardinia Bay/ Nanaga Formation (Toerien and Hill, 1989). Blue Sylvic) form part of a coastal corridor of relatively shale is found in the northern part of the reserve intact and connected habitat approximately 2 km (ECPTA, 2011). The climate is temperate, and the in width stretching along the southern coastline of region receives rain throughout the year, with rainfall Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. ranging from 655–750 mm in typical years, and with Survey. A herpetofaunal survey was conducted two distinct rainfall peaks (June and October; ECPTA from 13–22 November 2017. The survey comprised a 2011). Prevailing summer winds are south-westerly, combination of active searching and passive trapping. however south-easterly winds, which bring moist air Four Y-shaped trap arrays were set up in different from the sea, are also experienced. During winter the habitats. These arrays had a single pitfall trap in the prevailing winds are warm, dry north-westerlies and centre, a funnel trap positioned on either side of the fence north-easterlies. The vegetation on The Island NR is a in the centre of each arm (which were approximately

Figure 1. Location of The Island Nature Reserve, South Africa. Herpetofauna of the Island Nature Reserve, South Africa 1089

10–15 m long and 50 cm high), and a single terminal Results funnel trap on each arm (Table 1). An additional trap No records of previous herpetological surveys array (Trap 5) comprised a single straight drift fence of undertaken in The Island NR were found. During our about 80 m with 10 funnel traps (set in five pairs along survey, we recorded 28 species, representing seven each side of the fence). species (four families) and 21 species Vouchers (1–6 individuals) were collected for each (11 families: nine lizards, nine , three tortoises). species, while all other trapped were released We added 59 (35 reptile and 24 amphibian) voucher at the capture site. Voucher specimens were humanely specimens to the Port Elizabeth Museum herpetology euthanized by injecting reptiles and submerging frogs in collection. At the time of our survey, there were eight a tricaine methanesulfonate (MS222) solution (Conroy Port Elizabeth Museum records from The Island NR et al., 2009), and fixed in 10% buffered formalin before (Homopus areolatus, lacteus, Bitis being preserved in 70% ethanol for long-term storage. arietans, Dispholidus typus, Lycodonomorphus Genetic samples (liver or muscle) were collected from inornatus, L. rufulus, Pachydactylus maculatus, each voucher specimen and stored in 96% ethanol. Scelotes anguineus). Of these, two species (H. lacteus All specimens were deposited in the Port Elizabeth and L. rufulus) were not encountered during our Museum, South Africa. survey. This brings the confirmed number of species Data collection. The Port Elizabeth Museum for the nature reserve to 30. The present survey added database and other major museum databases housing 21 new reserve records and three new QDGC records South African herpetological material were consulted (viz. Gerrhosaurus flavigularis, Causus rhombeatus, in order to obtain data of voucher specimens previously Pelomedusa galeata). collected within the boundaries of The Island NR. Additionally, we consulted virtual museum platforms Species Accounts. The species accounts are (e.g., ReptileMAP and FrogMAP, http://vmus.adu.org. grouped into four sections, namely Amphibia (frogs), za; iNaturalist, www.inaturalist.org) to obtain additional, Sauria (lizards), Serpentes (snakes), and Testudines non-vouchered records. The ECPTA’s internal records (chelonians). Within these groups we ordered were consulted for evidence of previous herpetofaunal species accounts taxonomically by family and then surveys in The Island NR. alphabetically within families. We follow the higher- Species Identification. Species identifications level classification suggested by Zaher et al. (2019) for were made using relevant field guides or published snakes. We provide information on voucher numbers identification keys (reptiles – Broadley, 1983; Branch, and sampling localities (latitude and longitude in 1998; frogs – Channing, 2001; du Preez and Carruthers, decimal degrees, WGS 84 GCS, and elevation in 2017) and comparison to other material housed in the metres). Brief notes on identification, , and/ Port Elizabeth Museum. Nomenclature was based on or natural history are also provided when appropriate. established online databases (frogs – Frost, 2021; reptiles – Uetz et al., 2021), and updated where appropriate.

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

Site Latitude (S) Longitude (E) Elevation (m) Description Days

1 33.9874° 25.3426° 287 Grassy patch in thicket matrix 9 2 33.9941° 25.3659° 141 Grassy patch, fynbos elements in thicket 9 3 33.9835° 25.3409° 210 Grassy, dry wetland in forest 9 4 33.9877° 25.3387° 266 Forest 8 5 33.9793° 25.3722° 243 Along cleared fence adjacent to forest 8

1090 Brian Reeves et al.

FROGS Comments. We assigned our specimens to this subspecies based on the dorsal colouration of light Family Brevicipitidae brown with yellow spots. All specimens were caught at night near water while they were actively calling from Breviceps pentheri Werner, 1899 aquatic plants. Commonly encountered in the greater Thicket Rain Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region. Comments. Despite several individuals being heard Family calling in low vegetation along the Lower Seaview Road boundary (33.9877°S, 25.3741°E, elevation 140 nanum (Boulenger, 1887) m) and intensive searching in this area, no voucher Bronze Caco (Fig. 2B) specimens were collected. The closest recorded locality is from Seaview (PEM A6–9), approximately Material collected (n = 6). PEM A12401–06, 2.5 km south of the reserve. In a recent phylogenetic 33.9792°S, 25.3721°E, elevation 243 m, Trap 5. study, Nielsen et al. (2018) show that this species is Comments. The collected specimens were found in not closely related to B. adspersus, under which it had secondary and forest habitat in the northern been previously included as a subspecies, and should part of the reserve while other individuals were receive full species status. We here follow Frost (2021) observed in wetland habitat on the eastern boundary and recognise it as a full species. of the reserve. Commonly encountered in the greater Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region, where Family Bufonidae this species can be distinguished from the sympatric C. boettgeri by the fusion of dark markings towards Sclerophrys capensis Tschudi, 1838 the anterior of the venter and prominent subarticular Raucous Toad tubercles (du Preez and Carruthers, 2017). Genetic material from this survey was recently used in a Material collected (n = 1). PEM A12412, 33.9882°S, phylogeographic study that indicated that there is 25.3688°E, elevation 192 m, at staff quarters. genetic structuring between the winter and summer Comments. We collected a single specimen under a rainfall zones of South Africa (Kushata et al., 2020). concrete slab at the staff quarters. This is a common Our specimens represent the winter rainfall clade. and widespread species in the greater Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region. Strongylopus fasciatus (Smith, 1849) Striped Stream Frog (Fig. 2C) Sclerophrys pardalis (Hewitt, 1935) Eastern Leopard Toad (Fig. 2A) Material collected (n = 1). PEM A12416, 33.9875°S, 25.3426°E, elevation 287 m, collected near Trap 1. Material collected (n = 3). PEM A12413, 33.9882°S, Comments. Breeds in various waterbodies, 25.3688°E, elevation 192 m, at staff quarters; PEM especially in dense grasses and sedges and is expected A12414, 33.9877°S, 25.3387°E, elevation 266 m, Trap to occur near such habitats throughout the reserve. 4; PEM A12415, 33.9792°S, 25.3721°E, elevation 243 Widespread in the greater Nelson Mandela Bay m, Trap 5. Municipality region. Comments. Two specimens were caught in traps and another was collected under a concrete slab at the staff Strongylopus grayii (Smith, 1849) quarters. Widespread in the greater Nelson Mandela Bay Clicking Stream Frog (Fig. 2D) Municipality region, associated with larger waterbodies.

Material collected (n = 6). PEM A12417, PEM Family Hyperoliidae A12420, PEM A12422, 33.9792°S, 25.3721°E, Hyperolius marmoratus verrucosus (Rapp, 1842) elevation 243 m, Trap 5; PEM A12418, 33.9835°S, Painted Reed Frog 25.3407°E, elevation 210 m, Trap 3; PEM A12419, Material collected (n = 5). PEM A12407–11, PEM A12421, 33.9882°S, 25.3688°E, elevation 192 m, 33.9853°S, 25.3779°E, elevation 174 m, wetland along at staff quarters. Lower Seaview Road boundary. Herpetofauna of the Island Nature Reserve, South Africa 1091

Figure 2. Selected frogs collected at The Island Nature Reserve, South Africa. (A) Sclerophrys pardalis. (B) Cacosternum nanum. (C) Strongylopus fasciatus. (D) Strongylopus grayii. Photos by Werner Conradie (A) and Brian Reeves (B–D).

Comments. This species opportunistically breeds Family Cordylidae in temporary inundated areas and is expected to Chamaesaura anguina anguina (Linnaeus, 1758) be abundant in the moister parts of the reserve. It is Cape Grass Lizard (Fig. 3B) widely distributed across southern and eastern South Africa and commonly encountered in the greater Material collected (n = 3). PEM R23213, 33.9875°S, Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region. 25.3426°E, elevation 287 m, near Trap 1; PEM R23214, 33.9947°S, 25.3644°E, elevation 151 m, southern LIZARDS boundary; PEM R23215, 33.9941°S, 25.3658°E, elevation 141 m, Trap 2. Family Chamaeleonidae Comments. This serpentine lizard was only ventrale (Gray, 1845) encountered in the dense grassy areas between larger Eastern Cape Dwarf (Fig. 3A) patches of forest and thicket.

Material collected (n = 1). PEM R23210, 33.9871°S, Family Gekkonidae 25.3681°E, elevation 79 m, main forest entrance, Hemidactylus mabouia (Moreau de Jonnès, 1818) western sector. Tropical House Gecko Comments. A single specimen was found at night sleeping on the edge of a thin branch in the thicket Material collected (n = 1). PEM R23222, 33.9856°S, habitat. Our experience suggests declines in this 25.3706°E, elevation 217 m, main picnic site. species in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, but Comments. This gecko is not native to the region this requires further study (Werner Conradie, pers. and was introduced into the greater region obs.). This species is expected to occur throughout the in the 1980s (Rebelo et al., 2019; Measey et al., 2020). reserve within the thicket and forest habitats. The collected specimen was associated with human structures and represents the first record for the reserve. 1092 Brian Reeves et al.

Lygodactylus capensis (Smith, 1849) South Africa to Port Elizabeth, whereafter there is a Common Dwarf Gecko gap in the distribution until Knysna (Bates, 2014a). More surveys are needed to determine if the gap in Material collected (n = 2). PEM R23226–7, distribution between Port Elizabeth and Knysna is real 33.9877°S, 25.3741°E, elevation 140 m, along Lower or just an artefact of sampling effort. This species was Seaview Road. only observed in moist grassy patches under moderate Additional records (n = 2). ReptileMap:160699, canopy cover in the western part of the reserve. ReptileMap:153950. Comments. This gecko is not native to the southern Family Scincidae Eastern Cape Province. It was introduced into the lineicauda Hewitt, 1937 region in the 1980s and has subsequently undergone Algoa Legless (Fig. 3G) rapid range expansion. The first records from The Island NR are from 2015 (Rebelo et al., 2019). Material collected (n = 4). PEM R23203, 33.9941°S, Individuals were often observed on artificial structures 25.3658°E, elevation 141 m, near Trap 2; PEM R23204, associated with human habitation, but they were also 33.9859°S, 25.3706°E, elevation 190 m, main picnic found in more remote, semi-natural areas (i.e., areas site; PEM R23205, 33.9856°S, 25.3750°E, elevation disturbed by humans but where natural vegetation was 182 m, along Lower Seaview Road boundary; PEM R predominant). 23206, 33.9877°S, 25.3741°E, elevation 140 m, along Lower Seaview Road boundary. Pachydactylus maculatus Gray, 1845 Comments. The taxonomical status of this small- Spotted Gecko (Fig. 3C) bodied form of the larger group is in flux, with some authors accepting A. lineicauda as Material collected (n = 3). PEM R23231, 33.9941°S, a full species (Lamb et al., 2010; Bauer, 2014), while 25.3658°E, elevation 141 m, Trap 2; PEM R23232, others regard it as a ‘morph’ (Daniels et al., 2002, 33.9859°S, 25.3771°E, elevation 169 m, along Lower 2005, 2006, 2009; Engelbrecht et al., 2013). More Seaview Road; PEM R23233, 33.9877°S, 25.3741°E, phylogenetic work is needed to resolve its taxonomical elevation 140 m, along Lower Seaview Road. status. This species was encountered in open habitats Additional records (n = 1). PEM R13746. under rocks and logs on loose soils. Comments. Commonly encountered in the greater Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region. This is Scelotes anguineus (Boulenger, 1887) the only native gecko species found in the reserve. Algoa Dwarf Burrowing Skink (Fig. 3D) Specimens were found under rocks and logs in open habitats. Material collected (n = 4). PEM R23243, 33.9859°S, 25.3706°E, elevation 190 m, main picnic site; PEM Family Gerrhosauridae R23244, 33.9886°S, 25.3693°E, elevation 183 m, Gerrhosaurus flavigularis Wiegmann, 1828 temporary ECPTA regional office; PEM R23245, Yellow-throated Plated Lizard 33.9877°S, 25.3741°E, elevation 140 m, along Lower Seaview Road boundary; PEM R23246, 33.9835°S, Material collected (n = 2). PEM R23220, 25.3407°E, elevation 210 m, Trap 3. 33.9851°S, 25.3301°S, elevation 166 m, western Additional records (n = 1). PEM R13736. boundary; PEM R23221, 33.9941°S, 25.3658°E, Comments. This species is endemic to the Eastern elevation 141 m, Trap 2. Cape Province and is restricted to the sandier coastal Comments. This represents the first QDGC record. areas from Cape St Francis through Port Elizabeth to This is an uncommon species in the greater Nelson East London (Marais and Bauer, 2014). It was found Mandela Bay Municipality region. The only records in sandy substrate under rocks and logs during active in the area are based on old literature records from searching. Schoemakerskop and Port Elizabeth (Boulenger, 1910; Essex, 1925) and a museum specimen from Sundays River (PEM R02497). The distribution of the species is continuous along the east coast of Herpetofauna of the Island Nature Reserve, South Africa 1093 Photos by Werner Conradie (A, B, D–F) and Brian Werner . Photos by . (B) Chamaesaura anguina (C) Pachydactylus Bradypodion ventrale . (G) Acontias lineicauda . (E) Chersina angulata (F) Homopus areolatus Reeves (C, G). maculatus . (D) Scelotes anguineus Selected lizards and tortoises collected at The Island Nature Reserve. (A) 3. Selected lizards and tortoises collected at Figure 1094 Brian Reeves et al.

Trachylepis homalocephala (Wiegmann, 1828) SNAKES Red-sided Skink Family Colubridae Material collected (n = 2). PEM R23247, 33.9856°S, Dispholidus typus typus (Smith, 1828) 25.3706°E, elevation 180 m, main picnic site; PEM Boomslang (Fig. 4A) R23248, 33.9901°S, 25.3443°E, elevation 263 m, near new tower. Photographs. One individual was photographed and Comments. This species was encountered in open released at the ECPTA offices. sunny patches and is well known from the greater Additional record (n = 1). PEM R13799. Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region. There is Comments. One of the few venomous species some regional variation in dorsal colouration and that occur in the reserve, and it is expected to be morphology across South Africa that requires further common throughout the reserve due to the abundance taxonomic research (Masterson, 2014). of forest and thicket habitat.

TURTLES AND TORTOISES Philothamnus hoplogaster (Günther, 1863) Green Water Snake (Fig. 4B) Family Testudinidae Chersina angulata (Schweigger, 1812) Material collected (n = 1). PEM R23236 (iNaturalist: Angulate Tortoise (Fig. 3E) 8896718), 33.9792°S, 25.3721°E, elevation 243 m, Trap 5. Photographs. iNaturalist: 8803602; ReptileMap: Comments. Although commonly encountered 161153. further north along the coastline, there are few records Additional record (n = 1). PEM R13791. for this species in the greater Nelson Mandela Bay Comments. This is possibly the most frequently Municipality region. encountered tortoise species in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. Philothamnus occidentalis Broadley, 1966 South African Green Snake (Fig. 4C) Homopus areolatus (Thunberg, 1787) Parrot-beaked Tortoise (Fig. 3F) Material collected (n = 2). PEM R23237, 33.9854°S, 25.3706°E, elevation 114 m, main picnic site; PEM Photographs. iNaturalist: 8848197. R23238, 33.9886°S, 25.3693°E, elevation 183 m, Comments. A small species of tortoise that is temporary ECPTA regional office. commonly encountered in the greater Nelson Mandela Comments. A common species in the greater Nelson Bay Municipality. In a recent study, Hofmeyr et al. Mandela Bay Municipality region. Recently elevated (2020) show that there is considerable genetic diversity to a full species (Engelbrecht et al., 2019). PEM within this species. R23238 was collected under a plywood board near the regional office. Family Pelomedusidae Family Atractaspididae Pelomedusa galeata (Schoepff, 1792) Southern Marsh Terrapin Homoroselaps lacteus (Linnaeus, 1758) Spotted Harlequin Snake Comments. Encountered during the survey in a pond outside the NR, 33.9822°S, 25.3578°E, elevation Additional record (n = 1). PEM R13671. 234 m, along the northern fence line. This species has Comments. No new records of this species were been seen in the reserve on a separate occasion on the obtained from the reserve. This is a widespread road to the regional office (Brian Reeves, pers. obs.). species with considerable colour variation over its Commonly encountered in the greater Nelson Mandela range (Maritz et al., 2019). Specimens from the greater Bay Municipality region. Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality mostly display a blotched colour pattern. Herpetofauna oftheIslandNatureReserve,South Africa

Figure 4. Selected snakes collected at The Island Nature Reserve. (A) Dispholidus typus typus. (B) Philothamnus hoplogaster. (C) Philothamnus occidentalis. (D) 1095 lutrix lutrix. (E) Lycodonomorphus inornatus. (F) Pseudaspis cana. (G) Bitis arietans arietans. (H) Causus rhombeatus. (I) Psammophis crucifer. Photos by Werner Conradie (B, G) and Brian Reeves (A, C–F, H, I). 1096 Brian Reeves et al.

Family Family Psammophiidae Lycodonomorphus inornatus (Duméril et al., 1854) Psammophis crucifer (Daudin, 1803) Olive House Snake (Fig. 4E) Cross-marked Grass Snake (Fig. 4I)

Material collected (n = 2). PEM R23224–25, Material collected (n = 1). PEM R23239, 33.9875°S, 33.9835°S, 25.3407°E, elevation 210 m, Trap 3. 25.3426°E, elevation 287 m, Trap 1. Additional records (n = 2). PEM R13682; Comments. This is a widespread and commonly iNaturalist: 37372737. encountered species in the Nelson Mandela Bay Comments. This is a widespread and commonly Municipality region. encountered species in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region, and it is often associated with Family Viperidae moist environments. Bitis arietans arietans (Merrem, 1820) Puff Adder (Fig. 4G) Lycodonomorphus rufulus (Lichtenstein, 1823) Brown Water Snake Material collected (n = 2). PEM R23207, 33.9947°S, 25.3644°E, elevation 151 m, southern boundary; PEM Additional record (n = 1). PEM R13671. R23209, 33.9792°S, 25.3721°E, elevation 243 m, Trap 5. Comments. No new records of this species were Additional record (n = 1). PEM R13825. obtained in the reserve. This species prefers moist Comments. One of the few venomous snake species environments and is commonly found around wetlands occurring in the reserve. This is a cryptic snake, expected and streams. It is widespread across South Africa and to be abundant in the reserve since roadkill specimens is commonly encountered in the Nelson Mandela Bay are frequently observed in summer along Seaview Road. Municipality region A widespread and commonly encountered species in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region. Family Pseudaspidae Pseudaspis cana (Linnaeus, 1758) Causus rhombeatus (Lichtenstein, 1823) Mole Snake (Fig. 4F) Rhombic Night Adder (Fig. 4H)

Material collected (n = 1). PEM R23242, 33.9941°S, Material collected (n = 2). PEM R23211, 33.9851°S, 25.3658°E, elevation 141 m, Trap 2. 25.3301°E, 166 m, western boundary; PEM R23212, Comments. Small mammals, including mole- 33.9941°S, 25.3658°E, elevation 141 m, Trap 2. rats, constitute a large proportion of this snake’s diet Comments. The newly collected specimens represent (Branch, 1998). Trap 2 was positioned in a patch of the first records for the QDGC for this species, but it sandy soil and showed signs of mole-rat activity. This has been recorded from surrounding QDGCs. This is a widespread and commonly encountered species in is a mildly venomous species that is widespread and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region. common in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality region. PEM R23211 was observed in the western Family Pseudoxyrhophiidae portion of the reserve, active during the day among rocks with moderate vegetation cover on the slope of Duberria lutrix lutrix (Linnaeus, 1758) an established dune slack. South African -eater (Fig. 4D)

Discussion Material collected (n = 2). PEM R23218–19, 33.9835°S, 25.3407°E, elevation 210 m, Trap 3. Herpetofaunal species play important roles in Comments. This is a widespread and commonly ecosystems, moving energy and nutrients between encountered species in the Nelson Mandela Bay communities, connecting trophic networks (such as Municipality region. connecting invertebrates to larger vertebrates), and linking aquatic and terrestrial habitats (Rota et al., 2017). They are also useful indicators of ecosystem condition (Banville and Bateman, 2012), have the Herpetofauna of the Island Nature Reserve, South Africa 1097 potential to attract tourists (Loubser et al., 2001), and has likely been facilitated by humans through the offer educational and research opportunities. Despite inadvertent transportation of individuals along with their importance, reptiles and amphibians have been material and goods (such as nursery plants, mulching underappreciated as components of ecosystems (Todd material, or firewood). The impacts of these invasive et al., 2007). geckos have not been formally assessed, but there have To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive been anecdotal observations of H. mabouia displacing survey of the herpetofauna of The Island NR. Although the native Afrogecko porphyreus (Measey et al., 2020). our data are not quantitative, we have recorded the Lygodactylus capensis is the only diurnal gecko found presence of 28 herpetofaunal species in the reserve. As in the region and as such is unlikely to directly compete such, our dataset serves as a baseline for future surveys with the native nocturnal species (Conradie et al., 2020). (for example, to support the future documenting Currently both species appear to be concentrated around of any species loss) and contributes to the broader dwellings and other human structures, but L. capensis understanding of species distributions in the country. was also found on the periphery of the reserve. Given Except for Scelotes anguineus, which is endemic to the the popularity of amphibians and reptiles in the pet trade greater Algoa Bay region, all encountered species are (Stringham and Lockwood, 2018), the establishment of relatively widespread and common. Our survey resulted additional exotic species is an ongoing concern. in a considerable number of new reserve records and To ensure the long-term viability of the herpetofaunal three new QDGC species records. The new QDGC populations of the reserve, the corridor of intact habitat records are surprising given the reserve’s proximity running along the southern coast of the municipality to a well-studied metropolitan area. No threatened must be maintained. Beninde et al. (2015) found that amphibian or reptile species were expected to be found the existence of corridors is one of the most important in the reserve, and this was corroborated by our results. requirements for maintaining biodiversity in urban The reserve’s proximity to the Nelson Mandela Bay areas. This corridor, which is narrow in places, faces metropolitan area makes it vulnerable to anthropogenic pressures from residential and agricultural expansion threats. Remnant natural habitats around urban areas are and the spread of invasive alien plants. Preserving it predicted to suffer further degradation with expanding will require the cooperation of the provincial and local human populations through direct impacts, loss of authorities and private landowners. landscape scale habitat diversity, fragmentation, and edge effects. While the persistence of generalist species Acknowledgments. The authors would like to thank may be facilitated, species with specialised habitat Khayelihle Ncube (Reserve Manager, The Island Nature requirements are likely to decline or become extirpated Reserve) and his staff, including the field rangers, for their (Purkayastha et al., 2011). One such specialist species support of the survey. We would also like to thank Vuyo Moxo (DST/NRF intern) for her field assistance. The authors would encountered during our survey is Chamaesaura anguina. like to extend a special word of thanks to Sandile Mdoko for This species requires grassy vegetation and is susceptible managing the logistics for the survey. to the disturbance caused by frequent fires (du Toit et al., 2003; Bates, 2014b). The loss or disturbance of the few References open habitat patches in the reserve (through woodland encroachment or an increase in fire frequency) must be Banville, M.J., Bateman, H.L. (2012): Urban and wildland avoided if species like C. anguina are to persist in the herpetofauna communities and riparian microhabitats along the Salt River, Arizona. Urban Ecosystems 15: 473–488. protected area. Bates, M.F. (2014a): Gerrhosaurus flavigularis Wiegmann, 1838. Protected areas near urban centres are also particularly In: Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho vulnerable to invasion by non-native herpetofauna and Swaziland, p. 228. Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M., species. For example, Clements et al. (2019) found Burger, M., Marais, J., Alexander, G.J., de Villiers, M.S., Eds., that non-native species dominated the herpetofaunal Pretoria, South Africa, South African National Biodiversity community in natural habitat patches in Miami-Dade Institute. County, Florida, USA. Although most of the species Bates, M.F. (2014b): Chamaesaura anguina anguina (Linnaeus, 1758). 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Accepted by Darren Pietersen