No safe haven: protection levels show imperilled South African reptiles not sufficiently safe-guarded despite low average extinction risk Krystal A. Tolleya,b,*, Joshua Weebera, Bryan Maritzc, Luke Verburgtd, Michael F. Batese,f, Werner Conradieg,h, Margaretha D. Hofmeyrc, Andrew A. Turnerc,i, Jessica M. da Silvaa,j, Graham J. Alexanderk a South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Newlands, Cape Town 7945, South Africa b Centre for Ecological Genomics and Wildlife Conservation, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, 2006 Johannesburg, South Africa c Department of Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, University of the Western Cape, Private Bag X17, Bellville 7535, South Africa d Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0001, South Africa e Department of Herpetology, National Museum, P.O. Box 266, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa f Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa g Port Elizabeth Museum, P.O. Box 13147, Humewood 6013, South Africa h School of Natural Resource Management, George Campus, Nelson Mandela University, George 6530, South Africa i CapeNature, Scientific Services, Private Bag X5014, Stellenbosch 7599, South Africa j Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag X1, Matieland, 7602. Stellenbosch, South Africa k School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, P.O. Wits, 2050 Johannesburg, South Africa *Corresponding author at: South African National Biodiversity Institute, Kirstenbosch Research Centre, Private Bag X7, Newlands, Cape Town 7945, South Africa. E-mail address:
[email protected] (K.A. Tolley). ABSTRACT Compared to the global average, extinction risk for mainland African reptiles, particularly for South Africa, appears to be relatively low.