Rationale
(Changed due to New Information|Knowledge of criteria)
The species has a small range (extent of occurrence of ca 2,900 km2) with some portions of the range that are declining in extent and quality of habitat. However, the discovery of specimens at the edge of pine forests in some areas (e.g. Haenertsburg; Bates et al. 2014) suggest that this species may be able to tolerate some level of habitat transformation that maintains connectivity between the more suitable habitat patches. About half its range is heavily transformed, whereas the remainder is within intact habitat. The species is therefore listed as Neat Threatened as it almost qualifies for a threatened listing under criterion B1ab(iii).
Distribution
Endemic to the Woodbush, Haenertsburg and Wolkberg areas of Limpopo Province, South Africa (Bates et al. 2014).
Decline
Not severely fragmented as majority of species is in viable populations and at least half the range is in a large area that is not fragmented. Also, discovery of individual in unsuitable habitat suggests they may be tolerant of transformed areas, or that the intact habitat patches are connected via less suitable habitat and therefore severe fragmentation does not apply.
Threats
The area where this species occurs is heavily impacted by urbanization and afforestation. The impact of these threats on Acontias rieppeli is not understood, particularly as the species has been found in transformed landscapes. It may be tolerant of some altered habitats, which would mimize the threats.
Conservation
The range coincides with some protected areas. An understanding of whether the species is tolerant of transformed landscapes, or whether the few observations represent anomalies is needed. Surveys targeting this species in both transformed and intact habitats therefore, would be useful.
