BC Conservation Data Centre: Conservation Status Report
Elgaria coerulea
Northern Alligator Lizard
| Scientific Name: | Elgaria coerulea |
|---|---|
| English Name: | Northern Alligator Lizard |
| Provincial Status Summary | |
| Status: | S4 |
| Date Status Assigned: | January 16, 2012 |
| Date Last Reviewed: | March 30, 2018 |
| Reasons: | There are many occurrences of Northern Alligator Lizard across a large range in southern B.C.; the population is thought to be relatively stable; however there is no current data on trends. |
| Range | |
| Range Extent: | G = 200,000-2,500,000 square km |
| Range Extent Comments: | Found in a narrow belt across the southern part of the province, north to Clearwater inland in the Thompson River valley and to Stuie near Bella Coola on the coast. It is also found on Vancouver Island and the adjacent mainland coast. It is absent form the extreme southeastern portion of the province (Matsuda et al. 2006). |
| Occurrences & Population | |
| Number of Occurrences: | E = > 300 |
| Number of Occurrences with Good Viability / Ecological Integrity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Number of Occurrences Appropriately Protected & Managed: | U = Unknown |
| Comments: | Likely some protection within parks. |
| Population Size: | U = Unknown |
| Threats (to population, occurrences, or area affected) | |
| Degree of Threat: | C = Medium |
| Comments: | The primary threat may be outright destruction of habitat. The species tolerates some habitat disturbances such as logging. Nussbaum et al. (1983) stated that the introduction of the cinnabar moth for weed (tansy ragweed) control may have adverse effects on Northern Alligator Lizards. The moths are reported to be highly poisonous to the lizards. European Wall Lizards may be becoming a greater threat; a formal threats assessment is needed for this species (L. Ramsay, pers. com. 2018). |
| Trend (in population, range, area occupied, and/or condition of occurrences) | |
| Short-Term Trend: | G = Relatively Stable (<=10% change) |
| Comments: | The overall population is likely relatively stable in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, and abundance. |
| Long-Term Trend: | FH = Decline of <30% to increase of 25% |
| Comments: | Likely relatively stable in extent of occurrence, area of occupancy, and abundance; there has surely been a decline in area of occupancy and abundance, but the magnitude of the decline has been relatively small. |
| Other Factors | |
| Intrinsic Vulnerability: | B=Moderately vulnerable |
| Environmental Specificity: | Rank Factor not assessed |
| Other Rank Considerations: | |
| Information Gaps | |
| Research Needs: | |
| Inventory Needs: | |
| Stewardship | |
| Protection: | |
| Management: | |
| Version | |
| Author: | Gelling, L. |
| Date: | June 17, 2011 |
| References | |
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Ramsay, L. Personal communication. Program zoologist. BC Conservation Data Centre, Ministry of Environment. Victoria, BC.
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Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for information on how the CDC determines conservation status ranks. For global conservation status reports and ranks, please visit the NatureServe website http://www.natureserve.org/.
Suggested Citation:
B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2011. Conservation Status Report: Elgaria coerulea. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Dec 7, 2024).