Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

This is a widespread species with no known major widespread threats and it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category. It is therefore assessed as Least Concern.

Distribution

Palpopleura deceptor is an Afrotropical species which is widespread from the north of South Africa to the Sahel. The northern limit of its range runs from the Senegal River to central Sudan and Ethiopia. Further east this species was recorded once from the southwest of the Arabian Peninsula in Saudi Arabia (Schneider and Krupp 1993).

Population trend

Trend

The global population size is unknown.

Threats

This is a widespread species, which is well adapted to temporary waters in semi-desert and savanna environments, and is not under threat at the global scale. Drainage and destruction of swampy habitats caused by agriculture, and water pollution, are local threats to this species. However, these are not expected to affect the population at the global scale at present.

Uses and trade

This species is not utilised.

Conservation

No conservation action is presently needed for this widespread species but research into population size and trends would be valuable as this species is often found at temporary ponds and pools, which are unstable habitats at various time scales and are easily destroyed by agriculture and water over-consumption. Monitoring actions may be locally useful.

Lead agencies, Partners and Funders

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