Red List of South African Species

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

Rationale

This species is endemic to the arid regions of Namibia and South Africa, with the majority of the population confined to Namibia. It is locally common and inhabits inaccessible rocky areas, particularly granite koppies, which are unlikely to be rapidly transformed. There are no major identified threats, although climate change may represent an emerging threat as this species relies on moisture-rich vegetation, and research should be undertaken to assess its effects (such as water stress). Additionally, parts of its range are ear-marked for wind and solar developments, resulting in potential habitat loss and fragmentation of subpopulations. The impacts of such renewable energy developments should be monitored. Presently, however, we list as Least Concern in view of no evidence for decline and a relatively large extent of occurrence (96,705 km2) within the assessment region.

Regional population effects: Sporadic dispersal of this species across the Orange River between South Africa and Namibia is likely, thus rescue effects are considered possible.

Distribution

Dassie Rats are restricted to the southwestern arid, and semi-arid regions of Africa from southwestern Angola, southwards through the xeric, rocky regions of western Namibia and into the northwestern parts of South Africa (Figure 1). Monadjem et al. (2015), however, show the distribution as being restricted to Namibia and not extending into Angola. Their distributional limits, as described by Coetzee (2002), range from 16°S 12°E in the north to 30°S 18°E in the south (Namaqualand, South Africa). Although they have been recorded at altitudes of up to 1,200 m asl, this is limited only to warm, dry regions, thus they are absent from the cloudy Eselfontein Plateau (Shortridge 1942), where it is considered too moist and cold (Coetzee 2002). Similarly, Dassie Rats are not present within the moist, semi-tropical savannahs of western Angola (Coetzee 2002). The estimated extent of occurrence using all records is 96,705 km2.

Population trend

Trend

The Dassie Rat is considered relatively common through much of its range, which extends only marginally into the assessment region in the Northern Cape and Western Cape provinces. No published population densities are available for this species. In the Augrabies Falls National Park their abundance is considered to be sparse (George 1981), due to competition for rocky shelters with the Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis). Their abundance is limited by the availability of shelter within rocky outcrops and by mean annual rainfall, while vegetation composition is less significant (Coetzee 2002).

Threats

No major threats have been identified for this species, however, they may be preyed upon by domestic cats, where their range extends into urban areas. Additionally, an increased severity and frequency of drought, associated with climate change, is projected to have contrasting effects on resource availability and distribution for small herbivorous species in the semi-arid Succulent Karoo (Hoffman et al. 2009). The apparent dependence of this species on advective fog or green plant material for moisture is likely to increase its vulnerability to climate-induced increases in aridity or the severity of droughts. The rapidly expanding construction of major solar farms in the Northern Cape in the vicinity of the Upington corridor, as well as wind farms in the northwestern parts the Western Cape, may signify an emerging threat to this species as its range partially overlaps with these approved or in progress developments (van der Westhuizen 2013). Additionally, there is an increase in granite mining activities in Namaqualand which usually target similar areas to the preferred habitat of Petromys. This will result in some habitat loss and disturbance for this species, but as the extent of this activity is currently still low, this would have a local impact only.

Uses and trade

This species does not appear to be utilised or traded in any form.

Conservation

The Dassie Rat is present within certain protected areas of northwestern South Africa, including Augrabies National Park, |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (B. Wilson unpubl. data), Goegap Nature Reserve and Namaqua National Park. No direct interventions are required at present. However, this species is likely to benefit from continued research into the potential threat of enhanced aridity associated with climate change, and how this may affect food resources for this species, as well as spatial research into potential habitat loss from renewable energy developments and granite mining.

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • Systematic surveys are needed to gather information on population size and trends.
Research priorities:
  • Population size, distribution and trend estimates.
  • Associated threats to this species, specifically with regards to the perceived threats of climate change.
  • Analysis of potential impacts of renewable energy developments, and granite mining.
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Report sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP), especially outside protected areas.
  • Save electricity and fuel to mitigate CO2 emissions and hence the rate of climate change.

References 

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,]
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