| Citation |
Phimmachak, S., Cota, M., Sumontha, M., Nguyen, N.S., McGuire, J., Pawangkanan, P., Panitvong, N., Nguyen, T.Q., Grismer, L., Wogan, G., Lwin, K., Bain, R.H., Manthey, U., Neang, T., Yang, J. & Wang, Y. 2019. Acanthosaura lepidogaster. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T170366A111992615. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2019-3.RLTS.T170366A111992615.en. Downloaded on 04 August 2020. |
Description |
JUSTIFICATION
Acanthosaura lepidogaster is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution. Despite some habitat loss and degradation, it is unlikely to be declining at a rate fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category and is known from numerous protected areas. Research and monitoring of this species is needed to detect any future change in conservation status as this may qualify it for listing in a threatened category.
RANGE DESCRIPTION
This species occurs in China and Southeast Asia, where it occurs from Myanmar and northern Thailand, through Lao PDR to Viet Nam (Stuart 1998, Teynié 2004, Nguyen et al. 2009, Bain and Manthey 2010). It ranges between 70 and 1,700 m asl in most of its range (Zhao et al. 1999, Das 2010, Hecht et al. 2013, Ziegler et al. 2016).
In China, it has been reported from the southern Chinese provinces of Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi and Hainan (Zhao and Adler 1993), as well as Guizhou and Hunan (Zhao et al. 1999; B. Cai unpubl. data).
In Thailand, it has been found in Khao Yai National Park and Phu Khieo National Park (Das 2010), as well as the Chiang Mai, Lampang, Tak, Loei, Petchabu, and Chaiyaphum provinces (Chan-ard et al. 2015).
In Lao PDR, it has been found in Boualapha District and Nakai District, Khammouane Province; Vieng Tong District, Huaphan Province; and Thaphabat District, Bolikhamxay Province (Ananjeva et al. 2008).
In Viet Nam, this widespread species has been recorded in numerous localities, including Sa Pa and Van Ban in Lao Cai Province; Van Yen in Yen Bai Province; Yen Minh and Vi Xuyen in Ha Giang Proince; Na Hang and Son Duong in Tuyen Quang Province; Nguyen Binh in Cao Bang Province; Ngan Son and Ba Be in Bac Kan Province; Huu Lung and Mau Son in Lang Son Province; Cat Ba in Hai Phong Province; Vo Nhai in Thai Nguyen Province; Tam Dao in Vinh Phuc Province, Luc Son and Son Dong in Bac Giang Province; Chi Linh in Hai Duong Province; Hua Trai and Muong Do in Son La Province; Mai Chau, Da Bac, Binh Thanh and Kim Boi in the Hoa Binh Province; Ba Vi in the Ha Tay Province; Cuc Phuong in the Ninh Binh Province; Ben En in the Thanh Hoa Province; Pu Mt, Pu Huong and Que Phong in the Nghe An Province; Huong Son, Ky Anh and Cam My in the Ha Tinh Province; Minh Hoa and Phong Nha–Ke Bang in the Quang Binh Province, Dak Rong and Huong Hoa in the Quang Tri Province; A Luoi, Bach Ma, Huong Thuy and Nam Dong in the Thua Thien–Hue Province; Ba Na and Son Tra in the Da Nang Province; Ngoc Linh in the Quang Nam Province; Ngoc Linh and Kon Plong in the Kon Tum Province; K Bang: Son Lang in the Gia Lai Province; Bao Loc and Da The in the Lam Dong Province; and Nghia Trung in the Binh Phuoc Province (Nguyen et al. 2009). It is also present in Lam Ca, Ban Sen and Ba Mun in the Quang Ninh Province in Lam Ca, Ban Sen (Nguyen et al. 2009), Bai Tu Long National Park in Ba Mun Island and Large Tra Ngo Island (Gawor et al. 2016), and Tay Yen Tu Nature Reserve, in the northeastern part of the country (Hecht et al. 2013). It has also been observed in Cuc Thu Ho in Vinh Cuu Nature Reserve (Ziegler et al. 2016), and Cat Tien, in the Dong Nai Province, in southern Viet Nam (Nguyen et al. 2009).
In Myanmar, it is known from Pegu and Tenasserum (Boulenger 1890), in the Bago Division, Kayah and Rakhine States (Das 2010).
DESCRIPTION
In China, this is a very common species, with a stable population.
HABITAT AND ECOLOGY
This diurnal and arboreal species inhabits lowland and submontane tropical and subtropical forests (below 1,200 m asl in China) (Das 2010). It has been found in trees in primary forest, often near streams (Teynié 2004), though it is also reported to inhabit low vegetation (Stuart 1999). It inhabits submontane, hill evergreen and mixed deciduous forest (Chan-ard et al. 2015), where it has been found resting on vines, usually at a height of 1.5-2.5 m above or next to a forest stream (Gawor et al. 2016), and in mixed secondary forests of hardwood, bamboo and shrub (Hecht et al. 2013). This mainly solitary species may form pairs during the breeding season, and feeds on the leaf litter for termites and insect larvae (Chan-ard et al. 2015). It feeds on insects and other arthropods (Das 2010).
THREATS
Forests in this region are under pressure from logging and agricultural expansion. In Thailand, the forest area declined by 28% between 1976 and 1989 (Cropper et al. 1999) and by 30% in Lao PDR between 1940 and 1999 (Foppes and Ketphanh 2000). Similar patterns of habitat loss are occurring in other parts of this species range. Because this species is only known from primary forest, habitat degradation and destruction is likely to be a major threat and cause population declines (Bain and Manthey 2010). Over this species wide range as a whole it is nevertheless not threatened with extinction at present, and there are no serious threats to this species in China.
USE AND TRADE
This species has been found in the international pet trade, with exploitation recorded especially in Viet Nam. It is kept as a pet only very occasionally in China.
CONSERVATION ACTIONS
There are no known species-specific conservation measures in place for this species, though there are protected areas within its range, and it is present in many protected areas in China. Further research into the ecology, abundance, population trends and habitat status of this species is needed.It is listed in the "List of Beneficial or of Important Economic or Scientific Value Terrestrial Wild Animals under States Protection", under the protection of the "Law of the Peoples Republic of China on the Protection of Wildlife" (B. Cai pers. comm. 2018). |
