Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Duncan MacFadyen Corrie Shoeman
Contributors: Matthew Child Nico Avenant Margaret Avery Rod Baxter Ara Monadjem Guy Palmer Peter Taylor Beryl Wilson
Reviewers: Claire Relton

Rationale

Listed as Least Concern, as this species is widespread along the eastern grassland regions of the assessment regions, occurs in many protected areas (but not Kruger National Park), and is fairly common. However, although there is no evidence for large-scale population decline at present, continued loss of grassland habitat would certainly impact it in the future. Although its fynbos habitat is well-protected in the south of its range, grassland habitats in the north are severely threatened and fragmented. This species needs high-quality grassland to survive. Loss of area of occupancy through grassland loss should be systematically monitored and this species should be reassessed when finer-scale data emerge. Taxonomic resolution, by assessing which subspecies qualify for being upgraded to species level, is required and may necessitate reassessment.

Regional population effects: Populations are isolated within countries, and rescue effect is unlikely because there is a disjunct distribution between the assessment region and rest of the species range.

Distribution

While previously considered to occur widely across African highlands, recent molecular evidence suggests D. mesomelas is restricted to south of the Zambezi River while north occur several taxa now listed as valid species including: D. insignis, D. nyasae, D. oreas and D. vernayi (Monadjem 2013, Monadjem et al. 2015). Within the assessment region, it occurs widely in the eastern and southwestern grassland regions of the country, including Swaziland and Lesotho along an altitudinal gradient, from sea level, in the southern portions of its range, to montane areas in the north (Skinner and Chimimba 2005, Monadjem 2013, Monadjem et al. 2015). The distribution is reported to marginally intrude into the North West Province (Skinner and Chimimba 2005), but was not detected during a recent survey (Power 2014). Further vetting of historical museum records is required to confirm this extension of their range.

Population trend

Trend

Within temperate grasslands and moist montane habitats of the assessment region, this species occurs commonly. For example, they are relatively numerous in the leaf-litter of afromontane forest in Swaziland (Monadjem 2013). No density estimates are available. Subpopulations are separated by regions of unsuitable habitat and fluctuations occur seasonally.

Threats

Although not believed to be currently declining, threats to this species are grassland habitat loss from agricultural expansion, forestry and mining developments. Loss of habitat quality from overgrazing and incorrect fire management may also cause local declines. Climate change is also expected to reduce afromontane grassland, further jeopardising the species similar to other afromontane species (Taylor et al. 2016). The indiscriminate use of chemicals in agricultural industry and urbanisation is also expected to have an impact on this species. The impact of these threats on the population remains to be quantified.

Uses and trade

There is no known subsistence or commercial use of this species.

Conservation

This species occurs in several protected areas within its range in the assessment region (for example, Tsitsikamma National Park is a key protected area for this species), but are not found in Kruger National Park (G. Zambatis and D. MacFadyen unpubl. data). Protected area expansion to incorporate grassland habitats is a key intervention for the species, specifically to create habitat linkages where connectivity between natural habitat patches has been lost. Planners should prioritise previously cultivated areas for development instead of remaining natural areas. For example, previously ploughed areas now left fallow make up 8.9% of the grassland biome in Mpumalanga, and these areas should be prioritised for further development (Lötter et al. 2014). Grassland restoration projects are also likely to benefit this species. Land owners are responsible for managing the land and vegetation, ensuring that under- or overutilisation of grasses is avoided. This species would also benefit from correct fire and land management practices that conserve grassland habitats.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Land owners should leave corridors of grassland between cultivated areas.
  • Employ correct land management practices to prevent overgrazing and indiscriminate burning.
  • Protected areas expansion through provincial stewardship programmes.
Research priorities:
  • This is a species complex that requires taxonomic revision. The species might be split along biome boundaries.
  • Land cover maps and climate-based modelling must be used to project future decline in grassland biome.
  • Quantifying habitat preferences and understanding local movements and dispersal mechanisms between habitats; quantifying the species’ habitat under formal protection.
  • Research into the contribution of this species complex to ecosystem functioning.
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Report sightings on virtual museum platforms (e.g., iSpot and MammalMAP), especially outside protected areas.
  • Report any evidence of illegal mining practices.
  • Plant indigenous species in gardens.
  • Create corridors to offset the impacts of urbanisation and ensure movement and gene flow between populations.
  • Reduce use of insecticides and herbicides.
  • Reduce over-stocking on cattle and game ranches.
  • Proclaim private land nature reserves/protected areas under government stewardship program.

References 

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,]
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