Conservation Actions

Twenty additional lizards and snakes are endemic to the same forest patch, making this a priority area for conservation in Malaysia (I. Das and G. Vogel pers. comm. 2011). Conservation measures should be undertaken, along with further research into trends in abundance and impact of altered habitat on this species. Due to the number of endemic species known to be present in the island, the distribution should be included within the national protected area system.

Location Information

The species is restricted to Tioman Island in Malaysia. Despite being known only from the type specimen, it is reasonable to assume that this species is confined to Tioman since the island is a defined biogeographic area with its own endemic fauna.

Geographic Range

Extant

Malaysia

Population Information

Population status is not known as all the information available is based on the type specimen. However, it is presumed that this species is dependent on forest habitat, and it is therefore likely that the species is or will soon be in decline. Due to the current rate of forest loss, which may result in the removal of all forest on the island within the next ten years (and therefore also within the longer of ten years or three generations), this species is likely to become extinct without preventative action to preserve its habitat.

Threats

The forests of Tioman are not protected and are currently subject to private management. The island is a well-known tourist destination and development for both residential and tourist areas is both ongoing and expanding, which is degrading and removing this species' forest habitat.

IUCN Red List Account Link

Please click here to see the species' IUCN Red List Account page.

Photo Credits

L. Lee Grismer. (category and featured image)