Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Nigel Bennett
Contributors: Claire Relton
Reviewers: Matthew Child

Rationale (Changed due to Taxonomy)

The Highveld Mole-rat, Cryptomys pretoriae, is listed as Least Concern because they are widely distributed throughout the assessment region, is reasonably common and adapts well to habitats modified by humans, such as agricultural areas and rural gardens. Currently, there are no major recognised threats that could result in significant population decline. Ongoing molecular research and vetting of museum specimens is needed to delimit distribution ranges more accurately.

Distribution

The Highveld Mole-rat occurs in Gauteng and North-West provinces of South Africa (Bennett 2013, Monadjem et al. 2015), and it is likely that its range extends northwards to the Limpopo River (Limpopo province); where there are numerous records previously identified as Cryptomys hottentotus (Rautenbach 1982). Its eastern limit is likely to be the escarpment, which is the western limit of C. natalensis (Faulkes et al. 2004). C. natalensis may overlap in its range with C. pretoriae in Eswatini and this should be clarified through further molecular research.

Population trend

Trend

The population size of this species is largely unknown; information regarding its population status is limited and no density estimates are currently available for Cryptomys pretoriae. The population is not predicted to be declining, due to its broad distribution and their ability to survive successfully within transformed habitats. 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).

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.

Uses and trade

It is not documented as being utilised but is likely to be used opportunistically as bushmeat.

Conservation

Cryptomys species are located in numerous protected areas throughout the assessment region. For example, Nylsvley Nature Reserve in Limpopo for C. pretoriae. No specific conservation interventions are necessary for this species. However, further research is necessary to delineate the population distribution, trend and abundance of this and the related 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}
}
,@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}
}
,@article{111935780,
 author = {Rautenbach, I. L.},
 journal = {Ecoplan monograph, N.S. Supplemento},
 pages = {111--211},
 title = {Mammals of the Transvaal},
 volume = {1},
 year = {1982}
}
,@article{111935780,
 author = {Moolman M., Bennett N.C., Schoeman A.S.},
 journal = {Journal of Zoology},
 pages = {193–201},
 title = {The social structure and dominance hierarchy of the highveld mole-rat <i>Cryptomys hottentotus pretoriae</i> (Rodentia: Bathyergidae)},
 volume = {246},
 year = {1998}
}
,]
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