Red List of South African Species

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

Rationale

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution within the assessment region, presumed long-term stable population, and because there are no major threats that could cause rapid population decline. Populations are subject to natural fluctuations. However, extensive overgrazing may result in local habitat deterioration and the effects of climate change on this species are currently unknown. Both potential threats need to be monitored systematically. 

Regional population effects: The range extends across South Africa and Namibia and there is contiguous habitat, so dispersal is possible.

Distribution

This species occurs in southern Namibia and northwestern South Africa where it inhabits gravel plains or shallow sandy soils (Dempster et al. 1999). It occurs predominantly on the gravel plains north of the Kuiseb River in southwestern Namibia; and the Nama-Karoo and Succulent Karoo biomes of South Africa. An isolated population of the subspecies, G. v. seeheini, is located on the flood plain of the Tsondab River, Namibia (Griffin 1990).

Population trend

Trend

It is considered fairly common, but exhibits naturally fluctuating populations. It is the most abundant small mammal in some areas, such as Brukaros-Berseba in Namibia (Perrin and Dempster 2013). It is difficult to monitor population trends owing to its patchy distribution and low population densities which vary widely between years (not because it is difficult to sample). No abundance or density estimates are available for this species.

Threats

No major threats have been identified for this species. However, overgrazing of arid vegetation and increased drought spells from climate change may potentially be causing a decline in habitat quality. The effects of climate change, however, cannot be verified without investigation as some of the changes may in fact be beneficial for this desert-adapted species.

Uses and trade

This species is not known to be traded or utilised in any form.

Conservation

No conservation interventions are currently necessary for this species. It is present within several protected areas within the assessment region, including Augrabies Falls National Park and the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. 

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • The species would benefit from suitable land management practices: land owners should leave corridors of grassland between grazed areas and decrease stocking rates. 
Research priorities:
  • Effects of climate change on habitat quality and distribution.  
  • Threats associated with livestock farming practices, and the current status of overgrazing in the NamaKaroo Biome. 
  • Continued studies into the general ecology and current population status of this species. 
Encouraged citizen actions: 
  • Report sightings on virtual museum platforms (e.g., iSpot and MammalMAP), especially outside protected areas. 
  • Barn Owl (Tyto alba) pellets should be collected and deposited at an appropriate museum. 

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}
}
,@book{9077,
 address = {Johannesburg, South Africa},
 author = {Roberts, A.},
 publisher = {Central New Agency},
 title = {The Mammals of South Africa},
 year = {1951}
}
,@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{9092,
 author = {Downs, C.T. and Perrin, M.R.},
 journal = {Cimbebasia},
 pages = {41–54},
 title = {An investigation of the macro-and micro-environments of four Gerbillurus species},
 volume = {11},
 year = {1989}
}
,@inbook{9092,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Seely },
 booktitle = {A review of taxonomy and ecology of gerbilline rodents of the central Namib Desert, with keys to the species (Rodentia: Muridae)},
 editor = {Griffin, M.},
 pages = {83–98},
 publisher = {Transvaal Museum Monograph No. 7, Transvaal Museum},
 title = {Namib Ecology: 25 Years of Namib Research},
 year = {1990}
}
,@article{9092,
 author = {Qumsiyeh, M.B., Hamilton, M.J., Dempster, E.R. and Baker, R.J.},
 journal = {Journal of Mammalogy},
 pages = {89–96},
 title = {Cytogenetics and systematics of the rodent genus Gerbillurus},
 volume = {72},
 year = {1991}
}
,@article{9095,
 author = {Matson, J.O. and Blood, B.R.},
 journal = {Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde},
 pages = {289--298},
 title = {A report on the distribution of small mammals from Namibia},
 volume = {59},
 year = {1994}
}
,@article{9095,
 author = {Granjon L., Colangelo, P., Tatard, C., Colyn, M., Dobigny, G. & Nicolas, V.},
 journal = {Zootaxa},
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 title = {Intrageneric relationships within Gerbilliscus (Rodentia, Muridae, Gerbillinae), with characterization of an additional West African species},
 volume = {3325},
 year = {2012}
}
,@article{9095,
 author = {Dempster, E.R., Dempster, R. and Perrin, M.R. },
 journal = {Ethology},
 pages = {25–45},
 title = {A comparative study of the behaviour of six taxa of male and female gerbils (Rodentia) in intra- and interspecific encounters},
 volume = {91},
 year = {1992}
}
,@article{9095,
 author = {Dempster, E.R. and Perrin, M.R.},
 journal = {Ethology},
 pages = {43–59},
 title = {A comparative study of agonistic behaviour in hairy-footed gerbils (Genus Gerbillurus)},
 volume = {83},
 year = {1989}
}
,@article{9095,
 author = {Dempster, E.R. and Perrin, M.R.},
 journal = {Ethology},
 pages = {326–334},
 title = {Male-female interactions in hairy-footed gerbils (Genus Gerbillurus)},
 volume = {83},
 year = {1989}
}
,@article{9095,
 author = {Dempster, E.R. and Perrin, M.R. },
 journal = {Madoqua},
 pages = {51–53},
 title = {Neonatal development of Gerbillurus vallinus and G. setzer},
 volume = {18},
 year = {1991}
}
,@article{9095,
 author = {Dempster, E.R., Perrin, M.R. and Downs, C.T.},
 journal = {Mammalian Species},
 pages = {1–4},
 title = {Gerbillurus vallinus},
 volume = {605},
 year = {1999}
}
,@phdthesis{9095,
 author = {Downs, C.T.},
 school = {University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg},
 title = {The ecophysiology of four Gerbillurus species with special reference to their temperature and water relations. Ph.D. Thesis.},
 year = {1989}
}
,]
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