SANBI

Rationale

Listed as Least Concern because this species is widespread within the assessment region and occurs in areas of low human density. It is represented in several protected areas within its range. Although the effects of climate change are unknown, there are no obvious major threats, and there is no reason to infer a population decline at this stage, and the population trend is considered stable. However, this possible species complex may necessitate reassessment following taxonomic resolution.

Regional population effects: Rescue effect is possible through Namibia and Botswana across contiguous habitat. However, since dispersal ability is primarily a function of an animalâs body size, tolerance for disturbance and recolonisation capabilities, this small rodentâs rescue effect may be limited.

Distribution

This monotypic species was first described from a locality near Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape. Endemic to southern Africa, its current range includes the central and southwestern regions of South Africa, southwestern Botswana, most of Namibia and into the extreme southwestern portions of Angola (Monadjem et al. 2015). Its range is composed of scattered records within the assessment region, including records from the North West, Gauteng, Free State, Western Cape provinces, the northwestern regions of the Eastern Cape Province and widely across the Northern Cape Province (Figure 1; Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Although, formerly present at Border Cave during the late Pleistocene period (Avery 1991), this species no longer occurs in KwaZulu-Natal. It is known to have occurred across a range of localities in the Northern Cape Province during the Holocene and Pleistocene periods (Avery & Avery 2011), and still does today.

The species was not detected in North West Province during a recent field survey (Power 2014), but it is difficult to trap (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). A pregnant female was trapped 22 km northwest of Vryburg in April 1985 (B. Wilson unpubl. data) indicating that the species was, and may still be, present in the region as suggested by historical records.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

Although this species is generally considered to be rare (Happold 2013), it can be locally abundant, particularly in areas supporting numerous dry calcrete pans. It is rarely captured using conventional trap methods and is best captured by hand with the aid of a spotlight (Smithers 1971; Rautenbach 1978). It was also caught by hand in Rolfontein Nature Reserve, Northern Cape Province (Jooste & Palmer 1982). A genetic study based on multiple nuclear genes estimated divergence date of muroid rodents. Results indicated high levels of gene flow in the past among isolated populations (Steppan et al. 2004). The population is naturally fragmented by unsuitable habitats, and this may be further supported by genetic investigations.

Threats

There are no major threats to this species. However, long-term overgrazing by small-holder and nomadic livestock can cause declines in habitat quality for this species in some areas such as the North West Province, most particularly around large panveld areas (B. Wilson pers. obs.). This could potentially result in localised extinctions.

Uses and trade

The Large-eared Mouse is not traded or utilised in any form. This species has never been considered for the pet trade industry. One reason for this is because their solitary and asocial nature makes them unsuitable pets.

Conservation

This species is present within several protected areas of the assessment region, including Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, Mokala National Park, Karoo National Park, Tankwa Karoo National Park, West Coast National Park, Namaqualand National Park, Tussen-die-Riviere Nature Reserve, Mountain Zebra National Park and Goegap Nature Reserve. No specific conservation interventions are necessary at present.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:

The species would benefit from suitable land management: land owners should leave corridors of grassland between grazed areas and decrease stocking rates.

Research priorities:

Taxonomic resolution of the six proposed subspecies is required.
Phylogeographical differences between subspecies need to be determined.

Encouraged citizen actions:

Report sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP), especially outside protected areas.

References

[@article{275,
 author = {Avery, D.M. and Avery, G.},
 journal = {African Natural History},
 pages = {9--39},
 title = {Micromammals in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa, past and present},
 volume = {7},
 year = {2011}
}
,@inbook{2620,
 address = {Durban, Pretoria, South Africa},
 author = {de Graaff, G.},
 booktitle = {The Rodents of Southern Africa: Notes on their Identification, Distribution, Ecology, and Taxonomy},
 publisher = {Butterworths},
 title = {The Rodents of Southern Africa: Notes on their Identification, Distribution, Ecology, and Taxonomy},
 year = {1981}
}
,@article{12712,
 author = {Avery DM.},
 journal = {Durban Museum Novitates},
 pages = {1–11},
 title = {Late Quaternary incidence of some micromammalian species in Natal.},
 volume = {16},
 year = {1991}
}
,@inbook{12712,
 address = {London, UK.},
 author = {Happold },
 booktitle = {<i>Malacothrix typica</i>, Large-eared Mouse.},
 editor = {Happold DCD.},
 pages = {186–188},
 publisher = {Bloomsbury Publishing},
 title = {Mammals of Africa.Volume III: Rodents, Hares and Rabbits},
 year = {2013}
}
,]

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