Rationale
(Changed due to Incorrect data used previously)
Listed as Near Threatened because, although this species does not occur in a wide areaand there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of its habitat. While the species qualifies for Vulnerable, it is assessed as Near Threatened because it is considered to be common, tolerant to habitat change and threats are not considered too severe.
Distribution
This species is endemic to the Limpopo Province of north-eastern South Africa, where it occurs at 12 locations within two disjunct subpopulations: Breviceps s. sylvestris occurs along the eastern escarpment; and B. s. taeniatus occurs in the Soutpansberg Mountains. The two subspecies are thought to be isolated by about 80 km of unsuitable habitat. It is a highland species, occurring between 800 and 1,800 m asl and its extent of occurrence (EOO) is 17,824 km2.
It is locally common to abundant. The population is not considered to be severely fragmented.
Threats
The main threats are loss of habitat due to afforestation, fire, fruit plantations, and subsistence agriculture, and to a lesser extent housing. Invasive pines are also a threat. However, it does not seem to be too negatively affected by habitat transformation.
Uses and trade
There are no records of this species being utilized.
Conservation
Conservation Actions It occurs in several protected areas, including Blouberg Nature Reserve, Thabina Nature Reserve, and the Wolkberg Wilderness Area.
Conservation Needed Additional policy is required in terms of agreements with commercial land owners to manage this species' area for conservation.
Research Needed Resolving taxonomic issues, identifying management units, biology and threats are seen as key priority research areas for this species. Of the threats, it is important to invest effort into how this species can best co-occur with developing agriculture. Once population sizes have been established, monitoring of populations and habitat should be put in place.
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,@book{57721,
address = {University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg},
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,]
