Reptile fauna of the Katse Dam catchment area and a biogeographical assessment of species composition in the Lesotho Highlands

Abstract

With only seven lizard and five snake species recorded to date, species richness in the catchment area is much lower than expected. Species richness in the western and central districts of the Lesotho Highlands in general is low, emphasising the role of the Drakensberg-Maluti mountain complex as a barrier to species dispersal. The reptile fauna of the western/central highland area is primarily composed of widespread generalist species. The eastern highland areas, on the other hand, have a substantial endemic component, indicating the greater potential of these areas as a conservatory of geographical isolates. The direct impact of the Katse Dam on the local reptile fauna is expected to be minimal. -from Authors