Smaug Giganteus, Giant Dragon Lizard

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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ ISSN 2307-8235 (online) IUCN 2008: T5336A110315393 Scope: Global Language: English

Smaug giganteus, Giant Dragon Lizard

Assessment by: Mouton, P.L.F.N.

View on www.iucnredlist.org

Citation: Mouton, P.L.F.N. 2017. Smaug giganteus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T5336A110315393. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T5336A110315393.en

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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™ Taxonomy

Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family

Animalia Chordata Reptilia Squamata Cordylidae

Taxon Name: Smaug giganteus (A. Smith, 1844)

Synonym(s): • Cordylus giganteus A. Smith, 1844

Common Name(s): • English: Giant Dragon Lizard, Giant Girdled Lizard, Giant Spiny-tailed Lizard, Giant Zonure, Sungazer • French: Cordyle géant, Lézard à queue épineuse géant Taxonomic Notes: Previously contained within the genus Cordylus (Stanley et al. 2011). This species represents a distinct and deeply divergent lineage in the genus Smaug (Stanley and Bates 2014). Assessment Information

Red List Category & Criteria: Vulnerable A2c ver 3.1

Year Published: 2017

Date Assessed: May 16, 2013

Justification: A reduction in population size of at least 30% during the last 27 years (three generations) is inferred from the continuous habitat destruction in the Grassland Biome [A2c]. In addition, it is likely that a large part of the population exists in fragmented islands of grassland habitat between croplands.

Previously Published Red List Assessments 1996 – Vulnerable (VU) http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.1996.RLTS.T5336A11122298.en

1994 – Vulnerable (V)

Geographic Range

Range Description: Endemic to South Africa, where it is found only in the grasslands of the northern Free State (De Waal 1978) and the southwestern parts of Mpumalanga (Jacobsen 1989). Records of this species in KwaZulu- Natal (e.g. Bourquin 2004) apparently all refer to introduced populations that did not become established, and there are no confirmed records of natural populations in that province (Armstrong 2011). A record for Witsieshoek (2828DB) in the Free State and two records for western Lesotho (Ambrose 2006) are considered doubtful.

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Smaug giganteus – published in 2017. 1 http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T5336A110315393.en Country Occurrence: Native: South Africa (Free State, Mpumalanga)

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Smaug giganteus – published in 2017. 2 http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T5336A110315393.en Population Newberry and Petersen (1982/83) estimated population size at approximately 300,000. Current Population Trend: Decreasing

Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information) One of only a few terrestrial cordylids, inhabiting flat or sloping Highveld grassland where it lives in self- excavated burrows (Branch 1998). Diurnal and insectivorous, although plant material may also be consumed (Jacobsen 1989).

Systems: Terrestrial

Use and Trade Commercial exploitation for the pet trade is limited and contained (Jacobsen 1989) but remains a permanent threat.

Threats (see Appendix for additional information) The areas inhabited by this species are suitable for agriculture, particularly maize and sunflower cultivation, and large areas have been planted, resulting in large scale habitat loss (De Waal 1978, Newberry and Petersen 1982/83). Habitat loss due to agriculture is a continuing threat. Large portions of the grassland habitat are underlain by coal beds of varying quality and extent, and exploitation of coal for fuel has and will result in further habitat loss (Newberry and Petersen 1982/83). In the past this species has also been used by traditional healers (Newberry and Petersen 198/83), but there is uncertainty over the extent of its present use in traditional medicine and witchcraft. Commercial exploitation by the pet trade is limited and contained (Jacobsen 1989), but remains a permanent threat. In the past, fumigating burrows for the control of Yellow Mongoose (Cynictis penicillata) and Suricate (Suricata suricatta) resulted in great losses (Newberry and Petersen 1982/83) and poisoning of this lizard will always remain a threat in agricultural areas. Losses are exacerbated by poor recruitment ability; females reproduce only every second year (Van Wyk 1991). Poor fire management may also affect this species.

Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information) This species is listed in CITES Appendix II. Continue with research to develop an effective translocation protocol (Van Wyk 1988). Continuously encourage farmers to protect these animals and to stop all forms of persecution by farm workers (Newberry and Petersen 1982/83). Prohibit the removal of lizards from natural populations. Draft a Species Management Plan (BMP-S). Credits

Assessor(s): Mouton, P.L.F.N.

Reviewer(s): Bates, M.F.

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Smaug giganteus – published in 2017. 3 http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T5336A110315393.en Bibliography Ambrose, D. 2006. Lesotho Annotated Bibliography Section 166: Reptiles Including Annotated Checklist. Mamhlongo Productions, Roma, Lesotho.

Armstrong, A.J. 2011. Status of the Sungazer Smaug giganteus in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. African Herp News 54: 1-4.

Bates, M.F., Branch, W.R., Bauer, A.M., Burger, M., Marais, J., Alexander, G.J. and de Villiers, M.S. (eds). 2014. Atlas and Red List of the Reptiles of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. Suricata 1. South African National Biodiversity Institute, Pretoria.

Bourquin, O. 2004. Reptiles (Reptilia) in KwaZulu-Natal: 1 - diversity and distribution. Durban Museum Novitates 29: 57-103.

Branch, W.R. 1998. Field Guide to Snakes and Other Reptiles of Southern Africa. Second Edition. Struik Publishers, Cape Town.

De Waal, S.W.P. 1978. The Squamata (Reptilia) of the Orange Free State, South Africa. Memoirs of the National Museum of Bloemfontein 11: 1-160.

IUCN. 2017. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2017-1. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.

Jacobsen, N.H.G. 1989. The Distribution and Conservation Status of Reptiles and Amphibians in the Transvaal. Final Report Project TN 6/4/1/30. Chief Directorate of Nature and Environmental Conservation, Pretoria, South Africa.

Newbery, R.E. and Petersen, W. 1982/83. Management Proposals: Cordylus giganteus. Internal Report. Transvaal Division Nature Conservation, Pretoria, South Africa.

Stanley, E.L. and Bates, M.F. 2014. Here be dragons: a phylogenetic and biogeographical study of the Smaug warreni species complex (Squamata: Cordylidae) in southern Africa. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 172(4): 892–909. doi: 10.1111/zoj.12187.

Stanley, E.L., Bauer, A.M., Jackson, T.R., Branch, W.R. and Mouton, P. le F.N. 2011. Between a rock and a hard polytomy: Rapid radiation in the rupicolous girdled lizards (Squamata: Cordylidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 58: 53-70.

Van Wyk, J.H. 1988. Cordylus giganteus: species account. In: W.R. Branch (ed.), South African Red Data Book—Reptiles and Amphibians, pp. 77-80. South African National Scientific Programmes Report No. 151. CSIR, Pretoria, South Africa.

Van Wyk, J.H. 1991. Biennial reproduction in the female viviparous lizard, Cordylus giganteus. Amphibia- Reptilia 12: 329-342.

Citation Mouton, P.L.F.N. 2017. Smaug giganteus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T5336A110315393. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T5336A110315393.en

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© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Smaug giganteus – published in 2017. 4 http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T5336A110315393.en External Resources For Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the Red List website.

Habitats (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Major Season Suitability Habitat Importance? 4. Grassland -> 4.7. Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical High Altitude - Suitable -

4. Grassland -> 4.5. Grassland - Subtropical/Tropical Dry - Suitable -

Threats (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Threat Timing Scope Severity Impact Score 1. Residential & commercial development -> 1.1. Ongoing Unknown - - Housing & urban areas Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation 1. Residential & commercial development -> 1.2. Ongoing Unknown - - Commercial & industrial areas Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation 11. Climate change & severe weather -> 11.2. Ongoing Unknown - - Droughts Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality 3. Energy production & mining -> 3.2. Mining & Ongoing Unknown - - quarrying Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation 5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping Ongoing Unknown - - terrestrial animals -> 5.1.1. Intentional use (species is the target) Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality 5. Biological resource use -> 5.1. Hunting & trapping Ongoing - - - terrestrial animals -> 5.1.2. Unintentional effects (species is not the target) Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality 6. Human intrusions & disturbance -> 6.3. Work & Ongoing Unknown - - other activities Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.2. Species disturbance 7. Natural system modifications -> 7.1. Fire & fire Ongoing Unknown - - suppression -> 7.1.1. Increase in fire frequency/intensity Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality 2. Species Stresses -> 2.2. Species disturbance

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Smaug giganteus – published in 2017. 6 http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T5336A110315393.en 9. Pollution -> 9.3. Agricultural & forestry effluents -> Ongoing - - - 9.3.3. Herbicides and pesticides Stresses: 2. Species Stresses -> 2.1. Species mortality 2. Species Stresses -> 2.2. Species disturbance

Conservation Actions in Place (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Conservation Actions in Place In-Place Land/Water Protection and Management

Occur in at least one PA: Yes

In-Place Education

Included in international legislation: Yes

Subject to any international management/trade controls: Yes

Conservation Actions Needed (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Conservation Actions Needed 1. Land/water protection -> 1.1. Site/area protection

2. Land/water management -> 2.1. Site/area management

3. Species management -> 3.1. Species management -> 3.1.2. Trade management

3. Species management -> 3.2. Species recovery

3. Species management -> 3.3. Species re-introduction -> 3.3.1. Reintroduction

4. Education & awareness -> 4.3. Awareness & communications

Research Needed (http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)

Research Needed 2. Conservation Planning -> 2.1. Species Action/Recovery Plan

0. Root -> 4. Other

Additional Data Fields

Distribution Estimated area of occupancy (AOO) (km²): 3352

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Smaug giganteus – published in 2017. 7 http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T5336A110315393.en Distribution Continuing decline in area of occupancy (AOO): Yes

Estimated extent of occurrence (EOO) (km²): 39296

Continuing decline in extent of occurrence (EOO): Yes

Population Continuing decline of mature individuals: Yes

Population severely fragmented: No

Continuing decline in subpopulations: Yes

Habitats and Ecology Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Yes

Generation Length (years): 9

© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Smaug giganteus – published in 2017. 8 http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-1.RLTS.T5336A110315393.en The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ ISSN 2307-8235 (online) IUCN 2008: T5336A110315393 Scope: Global Language: English

The IUCN Red List Partnership

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership.

The IUCN Red List Partners are: Arizona State University; BirdLife International; Botanic Gardens Conservation International; Conservation International; NatureServe; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University; and Zoological Society of London.

THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™