SANBI

Rationale (Changed due to Same category and criteria)

On a global scale the species was considered of Least Concern (Turtle taxonomy working group 2014). We also consider the species as Least Concern on a regional basis, but this assessment needs reconsideration if a taxonomic revision became necessary, and/or if current threats intensify. Hoffman et al. (1999) classified about 25% or the species’ range as moderately to severely degraded, an assessment supported by Rouget el al. (2004). Predictions are that climate change will adversely affect the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt (DEA 2013), where some KwaZulu-Natal populations occur. Consequently, it may be prudent to reconsider the species’ status in the next assessment.

Distribution

Widespread in tropical eastern Africa (Boycott and Bourquin 2000) from southern Somalia and Ethiopia through Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe into northeastern South Africa and Eswatini (Swaziland), with a peripheral presence in Zambia and Botswana (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group 2014). On a regional basis, the species appears to have a dense distribution in eastern Limpopo, Mpumalanga Eswatini (Swaziland) and northeastern KwaZulu-Natal with fewer localities in central and western Limpopo Province and the northern regions of North-West and Gauteng Provinces.

Decline

None

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

There is no information available apart from the incidental trapping of terrapins. On one occasion in Eswatini (Swaziland), in a flooded quarry approximately 30 square metres in extent, 13 terrapins were collected overnight in a single terrapin trap (Boycott 2001).

Threats

The taxon occurs in a variety of wetland habitats, including large perennial rivers, thus fragmentation of habitat is probably negligible. Some populations are threatened by industrial pollution of their river systems (Broadley and Boycott 2009).

Uses and trade

No information available.

Conservation

None recommended.

References

[@book{10241,
 address = {Hilton, South Africa},
 author = {Boycott, R.C. and Bourquin, O.},
 publisher = {O. Borquin},
 title = {The Southern African Tortoise Book: A Guide to Southern African Tortoises, Terrapins and Turtles},
 year = {2000}
}
,@techreport{10241,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Rouget, M., Reyers, B., Jonas, Z., Desmet, P., Driver, A., Maze, K., Egoh, B. and Cowling, R.M.},
 institution = {South African National Biodiversity Institute},
 title = {South African National Spatial Biodiversity Assessment 2004},
 year = {2004}
}
,@inbook{10241,
 author = {Rhodin  and Iverson  and Dijk  and Saumure  and Buhlmann  and Pritchard  and Mittermeier },
 booktitle = {Turtles of the World: Annotated Checklist and Atlas of Taxonomy, Synonymy, Distribution, and Conservation Status (8th Ed.)},
 editor = {TTWG (Turtle Taxonomy Working Group: Rhodin, A.G.J., Iverson, J.B., Bour, R. Fritz, U., Georges, A., Shaffer, H.B. and van Dijk, P.P.)},
 pages = {1--292},
 publisher = {Chelonian Research Monographs},
 title = {Conservation Biology of Freshwater Turtles and Tortoises: A Compilation Project of the IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group},
 year = {2017}
}
,@article{11004,
 author = {TTWG [Turtle Taxonomy Working Group: van Dijk, P.P., Iverson, J.B., Rhodin, A.G.J., Shaffer, H.B. and Bour, R.]},
 journal = {Chelonian Research Monographs},
 number = {7},
 pages = {000.329--479, doi:10.3854/crm.5.000.checklist.v7.2014},
 title = {Turtles of the world, 7th edition: annotated checklist of taxonomy, synonymy, distribution with maps, and conservation status},
 volume = {5},
 year = {2014}
}
,@article{11004,
 author = {Boycott, R.C.},
 journal = {Durban Museum Novitates},
 pages = {25--37},
 title = {The terrapins and tortoises (Chelonia: Pelomedusidae and Testudinidae) of Swaziland},
 volume = {26},
 year = {2001}
}
,@techreport{11004,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Hoffman, M.T., Todd, S., Ntshona, Z. and Turner, S. },
 title = {Land degradation in South Africa},
 year = {1999}
}
,@techreport{170521,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {DEA (Department of Environmental Affairs)},
 title = {Long-Term Adaptation Scenarios Flagship Research Programme (LTAS) for South Africa},
 year = {2013}
}
,@article{178302,
 author = {Hewitt, J.},
 journal = {Records of the Albany Museum},
 pages = {371--415},
 title = {Further descriptions of reptiles and batrachians from South Africa},
 volume = {3},
 year = {1927}
}
,@article{16530,
 author = {Fritz, U., Branch, W.R., Hofmeyr, M., Maran, J., Prokop, H., Schleicher, A., Široký, P., Stuckas, H., Vargas-Ramírez, M., Vences, M. and Hundsdörfer, A.K.},
 journal = {Zoologica Scripta},
 pages = {115--125},
 title = {Molecular phylogeny of African hinged and helmeted terrapins (Testudines: Pelomedusidae: <i>Pelusios</i> and <i>Pelomedusa</i>).},
 volume = {40},
 year = {2011}
}
,]

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