Red List of South African Species

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Critically Endangered (CR)
Assessors: Graham Henning
Facilitators: Mark Williams
Reviewers: Silvia Kirkman Domitilla Raimondo Rolf Oberprieler

Rationale

A range-restricted endemic species found in Limpopo Province in South Africa (EOO 1 km<sup>2</sup>, AOO 4 km<sup>2</sup>). Historically recorded from two subpopulations, one of the two was exterminated by agricultural development early in this century. At the extant location no specimens have been seen since 2015, and the site has been affected by drought and inappropriate fire regimes. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Critically Endangered under criterion B. Since the previous assessment the number of locations has reduced from two to one. One of the locations has been exterminated by agricultural development. At the extant location no specimens have been seen since 2015, and the site has been affected by drought and inappropriate fire regimes. The location however is very inaccessible so it is likely that the taxon will be found again when conditions improve. The change in status from Endangered to Critically Endangered is therefore genuine.

Distribution

Endemic to Limpopo Province in South Africa, on the Wolkberg near Serala.

Decline

One subpopulation has been destroyed by agricultural development early this century . No specimens have been seen of the only other known colony for a couple of years, and it may have been affected by the drought or lack of burning at the site. The habitat has however not been degraded, and the subpopulation is presumably still extant.

Population trend

Trend

The population at one site has been destroyed by agricultural activity. At the other site the habitat has deteriorated due to inappropriate fire regimes and drought. Recent surveys during the flight period of the taxon at this site have been carried out without success.

Threats

Future agricultural activity or afforestation could destroy the only known locality. The habitat needs a fire regime appropriate for the life history of the taxon and its associated ant species. The subpopulation at the previously recorded locality near Haenertsburg is no longer extant as its habitat has been modified by agricultural development.

Conservation

A management plan is required which considers the habitat requirements of this taxon, including an appropriate burning regime.

References 

[@book{772,
 address = {Johannesburg &Cape Town},
 author = {Mecenero, S., Ball, J.B., Edge, D.A., Hamer, M.L., Henning, G.A., Krüger, M., Pringle, E.L., Terblanche, R.F. & Williams, M.C. (eds)},
 publisher = {Saftronics (pty) Ltd and  Animal Demography Unit, University of Cape Town},
 title = {Conservation assessment of butterflies of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: Red List and Atlas.},
 year = {2013}
}
,@book{772,
 address = {Pretoria},
 author = {Henning, G.A., Terblanche, R.F. & Ball, J.B. (eds)},
 publisher = {South African National Biodiversity Institute},
 title = {South African Red Data Book: butterflies. SANBI Biodiversity Series},
 year = {2009}
}
,@article{772,
 author = {SANBI},
 journal = {South African National Biodiversity Institute},
 pages = {0},
 title = { Vegetation Map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland [vector geospatial dataset] 2012. Available from the Biodiversity GIS website.},
 volume = {0},
 year = {2012}
}
,]
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