Rationale
(Changed due to Same category but change in criteria)
This species has a large extent of occurrence (>20,000 km2), but being confirmed at only 16 locations it has an area of occupancy <500 km2 (assuming a grid cell area of 16 km2), which meets the requirements under criterion B for Endangered. Although it may be declining at some locations, the population is not severely fragmented, and no extreme fluctuations are inferred or projected. Widespread habitat alteration, degradation and loss means it is re-assessed as Near Threatened as it almost qualifies for a threatened listing under criterion B2ab(iii).
Distribution
This species is endemic to South Africa. It is found in the Western Cape Province, from Groot Winterhoek Wilderness Area (near Porterville) in the north, southeastwards along the southern Cape mountains to Hawequas Forest and Limietberg Mountains (near Worcester), and then westwards through Paarl and Stellenbosch to the coastal plain and slopes of the Langeberg mountains in the Riversdale district, then northeastwards along the coastal plain and slopes of the Outeniqua, Kouga and Baviaanskloof mountain ranges from the vicinity of George to Humansdorp (Eastern Cape). In the southern parts of the Western Cape it appears to be confined to higher-altitude, montane fynbos habitats. Does not cross the Cape Flats, where the Cape Golden Mole (Chrysochloris asiatica) is common, but coexists with C. asiatica in Stellenbosch and Paarl (Bronner 2013).
Population trend
Trend
Common throughout its range, but restricted to friable soils supporting a dense invertebrate fauna; less common in rocky mountainous habitats, where it’s occurrence is seemingly restricted to patches of friable soils.
Threats
Widespread habitat alteration, degradation and loss has occurred historically throughout the range of this species, as a result of agriculture, forestry and urbanization, but it appears to adapt well to transformed habitats providing that the intensity of disturbance is not too severe. Current threats are habitat alteration, degradation and loss in preferred habitat areas along the southeastern coast of Western Cape owing to tourism developments and increasingly intensive agricultural practices, and climate change, which could lead to a decline in suitable habitat at some locations, and the fragmentation of some subpopulations. More localized threats include: poisoning and persecution by gardeners, greenkeepers, nurserymen and specialized (small-scale) agricultural concerns; and predation by domestic dogs and cats.
Conservation
No species-specific conservation actions are necessary. A. c. corriae occurs in protected areas, including Garden Route National Park (incorporating the Wilderness National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park), Diepwalle Forest Reserve, Keurboomsrivier Nature Reserve, Kluitjieskraal Nature Reserve, Ruitersbos State Forest, Saasveld State Forest and the Bergplaas Nature Reserve. A. c. devilliersi recorded from the Jonkershoek Conservation Area (Stellenbosch), Grootwinterhoek Wilderness Area (Porterville), Limietberg Nature Reserve, Limietberg Nature Reserve and Hawequas State Forest (Worcester) and the Boosmansbos Wilderness Area (Swellendam), Grootvadersbosch Forest Reserve (Heidelberg) and Garcia State Forest (Riversdale). It probably occurs more widely in other conservation areas proclaimed for the preservation of fynbos.
