Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Peter Taylor Corrie Schoeman David Jacobs Kate MacEwan Leigh Richards Lientjie Cohen Theresa Sethusa Ara Monadjem
Contributors: Lizanne Roxburgh Domitilla Raimondo Matthew Child
Reviewers: Peter Taylor Corrie Shoeman David Jacobs Kate MacEwan Leigh Rosanne Richards Lientjie Cohen Theresa Sethusa Ara Monadjem

Rationale (Changed due to New Information)

Although only known from three localities in Limpopo Province from the previous assessment (2004), recent field surveys reveal a wider distribution in the assessment region extending to southern KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) and Eastern Cape provinces with an extent of occurrence of 328,447 km2. Although it is patchily distributed, there is no evidence for widespread decline (for example, it remains common in the Soutpansberg Mountains in Limpopo Province) and there are no major identified threats. Thus, we list this species as Least Concern. However, further data on subpopulation sizes and trends are needed and this species should be reassessed when such data are available.

Regional population effects: It is not known how wide ranging this taxon is, and if there is exchange between subpopulations occurring outside of the assessment region with those occurring inside the assessment region. It has low wing loading (M.C. Schoeman unpubl. data). Thus, we assume no significant rescue effects occur

Distribution

This species is near-endemic to southern Africa, occurring marginally beyond this region in the extreme southwest of Tanzania (Kearney & Seamark 2005; ACR 2015). It is known from several apparently disjunct locations in southern and East Africa. It has been recorded from Huila in Angola, northeastern Namibia and adjacent Botswana, central and southern Zimbabwe and adjacent north eastern South Africa, northern Zambia and extreme southern Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi (and possibly adjacent Mozambique), and from a single locality in southern Tanzania (ACR 2015). In the assessment region, the species has been recorded from Limpopo and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provinces, although it was only known from Limpopo in the previous assessment (Friedmann & Daly 2004). The most southern record, based on re-identified specimens, used to be from Hella-Hella (KZN, South Africa) (Kearney & Seamark 2005). In April 2016, however, it was also recorded (using a harp trap) in the Eastern Cape Province (L. Richards unpubl. data), which increases the extent of occurrence to 328,447 km2.

Population trend

Trend

The abundance of this species is not well known. Although rarely sampled and possibly naturally rare, recent records suggest the species to be more common than previously thought in specific localities. For example, it is very common in the Soutpansberg Mountains of Limpopo (P. Taylor unpubl. data). Further monitoring is needed to estimate population size and trend. If the number of mature individuals is estimated to be < 10,000, a reassessment may be necessary.

Threats

There appear to be no major threats to this species as a whole. However, the use of pesticides and chemicals in agricultural landscapes may reduce the prey base for this species (Friedmann & Daly 2004).

Uses and trade

Not known to be traded or utilised.

Conservation

Recorded from Kruger National Park and Lapalala Wilderness Area (a private nature reserve in the Waterberg Mountains of Limpopo). It may occur in more protected areas, which should be documented. No direct interventions are necessary at present. Rather, studies further detailing the distribution, ecology and taxonomic resolution are needed to better inform conservation plans.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Use fewer pesticides and herbicides in agricultural landscapes, or employ bio-control.
Research priorities:
  • Further field surveys required to more accurately delimit distribution.
  • Ecological studies to determine dietary and spatial ecology.
  • Molecular studies to resolve taxonomy between L. angolensis, and L. botswanae.
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • None

References 

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 publisher = {CBSG Southern Africa, IUCN SSC Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Endangered Wildlife Trust, South Africa},
 title = {Red Data Book of the Mammals of South Africa: A Conservation Assessment.},
 year = {2004}
}
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,@book{11136,
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,]
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