Influences of Three Geology Types on Herpetofauna Biodiversity in Shingwedzi Region Kruger National Park

Surface geology structures are the foundation upon which many biotic
community assemblages are based, supplying fine scale micro-habitats for floral and
faunal species. Herpetofauna are one of the groups which make direct use of
rupicolous habitat for various life stages such as; reproduction, food resources and
shelter. The aim of this study was to determine if the geology type of the rock habitat
is as important a factor for herpetofaunal biodiversity as is its functional structure.
Our study was conducted in the Shingwedzi region of the Kruger National Park were
we sampled rock outcrops on intrusive igneous (granite), extrusive igneous (basalt)
from and sedimentary (mudstone and sandstone) geology types. The three rock type
sites were compared for species richness, species abundance and species diversity. A
total of 20 species were recorded from a total of 139 observations of which lizard
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diversity was highest (10 species) and accounted for the majority of captures (n =
124). No significant differences were found for richness, abundance and diversity
comparisons. Our study suggests that herpetofaunal biodiversity is not determined by
geology type and that the rock type of any particular habitat does not affect the
species expected to be found within that habitat.