Red List of South African Species

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Least Concern (LC)
Assessors: Duncan MacFadyen
Contributors: Nico Avenant Margaret Avery Rod Baxter Ara Monadjem Guy Palmer Peter Taylor Beryl Wilson
Reviewers: Katarina Medger

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

Listed as Least Concern because of its wide distribution within the assessment region and its presence in major protected areas, including Kruger National Park and a number of private conservation areas. There are currently no major identified threats that could cause overall population decline. This species inhabits rocky areas which are less likely to be transformed. However, we note that once A. selousi has been formally described, this species will need to be re-assessed.

Regional population effects: Dispersal is possible across regions when rocky areas are connected by suitable habitat corridors. For example, Spiny Mice have been recorded in a grassland saddle between sandstone outcrops (D. MacFadyen pers. obs.). However, as they are predominantly restricted to rocky habitats, and are not as numerous as other species (such as Micaelamys namaquensis), they may be relatively poor dispersers.

Distribution

Within the southern African sub-region, the species occurs widely across Zimbabwe and in Mozambique south of the Zambezi River, and marginally in eastern Botswana (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Within the assessment region, it occurs throughout the Limpopo Province, and north-western parts of the North West Province, and into parts of Gauteng and Mpumalanga. It is widespread but limited to areas with suitable rocky habitat, and is not as uniformly spread as other rupicolous small mammal species. In the North West Province, it was captured in Pilanesberg National Park and Madikwe Game Reserve in the north (but not at Borakalalo), and was captured for the first time in the Enzelsberg and in the norite koppies at Bospoort Dam (Power 2014). It was not captured further south (for example, in the Magaliesberg), and thus, based on high sampling effort, it probably does not occur there. In Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces this species was readily recorded in the red sandstone areas of Ezemvelo Nature Reserve (Gauteng) and Telperion (Mpumalanga) (MacFadyen 2014).

Population trend

Trend

This species is common, but seldom seen unless actively trapped in the right habitat and is not suspected to be declining, although its rocky habitat is naturally fragmented. At Telperion Nature Reserve in Mpumalanga, the mean minimum density of the species was 5 individuals / ha and total subpopulation size was thus estimated at 9,840 individuals (MacFadyen 2014). The species is usually solitary, in pairs or small family groups, so is never recorded in large numbers. Population numbers also tend to fluctuate seasonally, becoming more abundant in autumn (MacFadyen 2014).

Threats

There are no major threats to this species as it occupies largely inaccessible rocky areas that are unsuitable for agriculture, livestock production and forestry. However, mining for gravel and rock (specifically granite) could lead to localised habitat loss and subpopulation decline.

Uses and trade

This species is utilised for ecological research purposes and museum records in small numbers. It is not traded or utilised otherwise.

Conservation

The Spiny Mouse occurs in many protected areas across its range in South Africa, including Kruger National Park and a number of provincial and private protected areas; for example, Ezemvelo Nature Reserve (Gauteng), Telperion Nature Reserve (Mpumalanga), Mapungubwe National Park, De Beers Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve, Blouberg Nature Reserve and Musina Nature Reserve (Limpopo). Large numbers are found in the Soutpansberg region. The Soutpansberg and the Blouberg ranges are separated from other suitable habitats and thus may contain genetically distinct subpopulations. Another key site may include the Waterberg region. Protected area expansion should thus prioritise the Soutpansberg and Waterberg regions, as they encompass large areas with suitable habitat and potentially distinct subpopulations. 

No specific interventions are currently necessary. However, legislation regarding the protection of habitat from mining rock (especially granite) and mitigating rock crushing in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West provinces, would benefit this species. 

Recommendations for land managers and practitioners:
  • No specific management plan is necessary.
Research priorities:
  • Taxonomic resolution: formally describing A. selousi and re-assessing this species.
  • Assessment of species abundance and habitat preference in all provinces. 
Encouraged citizen actions:
  • Report sightings on virtual museum platforms (for example, iSpot and MammalMAP). This species is distinctive and easily identifiable as it looks like a small hedgehog. 
  • Become more aware of habitat destruction and protest mining applications in sensitive areas. 
  • Avoid using harmful chemicals and insecticides.
  • For people who live near rocky areas, specifically koppies, build rock gardens with lots of crevices to create suitable habitat patches.
  • Learn about the importance of small mammals in a healthy, balanced environment.

References 

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}
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,@article{47805694,
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,@article{47805694,
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 pages = {1--35},
 title = {Contribution to the systematics and zoogeography of the East-African <i>Acomys spinosissiums</i> Peters, 1852 species complex and the description of two new species (Rodentia: Muridae)},
 volume = {3059},
 year = {2011}
}
,]
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