SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Taxonomy)

Mahali’s Mole-rat, Cryptomys mahali, is listed as Data Deficient, as the extent of its range is extremely vague, with confirmed records in Pretoria (northern Gauteng), and recent records (not mapped) in the Northern Cape and the North-West Province. It is likely to be Least Concern because they are probably widely distributed throughout the assessment region, probably common and probably adapt well to habitats modified by humans, such as agricultural areas and rural gardens. However, the threats facing this species are currently unknown. Ongoing molecular research and vetting of museum specimens is needed to delimit the distribution range of this and the other related species more accurately.

Distribution

Mahali’s Mole-rat is known from Patryshoek, Gauteng (Monadjem et al. 2015), but this species has also been recently identified in Van Zyls Rus (Northern Cape) and Bloemhof (North-West Province) (N.C. Bennett unpubl. data). Further research is required in order to establish the precise limits of the species’ range.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

The population size of this species is largely unknown. Presumably the population is limited by soil requirements. Information regarding the population status is limited and no density estimates are currently available for Cryptomys mahali. In prime habitats the population density of the closely related C. hottentotus is known to surpass 150 individuals / km² (A.C. Spinks, J.U.M. Jarvis and N.C. Bennett, unpubl. data). Further field surveys are required to estimate population densities for C. mahali. The populations are not predicted to be declining, due to their broad distribution and their ability to survive successfully within transformed habitats.

Threats

No major threats have been identified for these species. However, they are occasionally persecuted as an agricultural pest, and homeowners complain that Cryptomys hottentotus and C. pretoriae can become nuisances in their gardens (Power 2014), and they are occasionally exterminated on gold courses. More information is needed to determine the threats facing this species.

Uses and trade

There is no information on the use of this species as bushmeat, although it may occur.

Conservation

It is unknown whether this species occurs in any protected areas (besides Bloemhof Nature Reserve, North West Province). Field surveys are needed to to delineate the population distribution, trend and abundance of this species.

References

[@book{570,
 address = {Berlin/Munich/Boston},
 author = {Monadjem, A., Taylor, P.J., Denys, C. and Cotterill, F.P.D.},
 publisher = {De Gruyter},
 title = {Rodents of Sub-Saharan Africa - a biogeographic and taxonomic synthesis},
 year = {2015}
}
,@article{2620,
 author = {Faulkes, C.G., Verheyen, E., Verheyen, W., Jarvis, J.U.M. and Bennett, N.C.},
 journal = {Molecular Ecology},
 number = {3},
 pages = {613--629},
 title = {Phylogeographical patterns of genetic divergence and speciation in African mole-rats (Family: Bathyergidae)},
 volume = {13},
 year = {2004}
}
,@article{2620,
 author = {Hagenah, N. and Bennett, N.C.},
 journal = {Journal of Zoology},
 pages = {19--26},
 title = {Mole rats act as ecosystem engineers within a biodiversity hotspot, the Cape Fynbos},
 volume = {289},
 year = {2013}
}
,@electronic{3326,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2019-1},
 year = {2019}
}
,@techreport{5228,
 author = {Power, R.J.},
 institution = {Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation & Tourism, North West Provincial Government, Mahikeng},
 title = {The distribution and status of mammals in the North West Province},
 year = {2014}
}
,@book{14262,
 address = {Berlin, Germany},
 author = {Monadjem, A., Taylor, P.J., Denys, C. and Cotterill, F.P.D.},
 publisher = {De Gruyter},
 title = {Rodents of Sub-Saharan Africa: A Biogeographic and Taxonomic Synthesis. },
 year = {2015}
}
,@inbook{21693,
 address = {London},
 author = {},
 booktitle = {<i>Thallomys shortridgei</i> Shortridge’s Acacia Rat (Shortridge’s Thallomys)},
 editor = {Nel, J.A.J.},
 pages = {562–563},
 publisher = {Bloomsbury Publishing},
 title = {Mammals of Africa. Volume III: Rodents, Hares and Rabbits},
 year = {2013}
}
,]

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