Red List of South African Species

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Endangered (EN)
Assessors: Andre Coetzer
Facilitators: Mark Williams
Reviewers: Silvia Kirkman Domitilla Raimondo Rolf Oberprieler

Rationale

A range-restricted endemic to the Wolkberg Mountains in Limpopo Province, South Africa (EOO 97 km<sup>2</sup>). This taxon was listed as Least Concern - Rare in 2013 but is now considered as Endangered. In the 2013 assessment all records, including many historical records from all over Limpopo Province, were considered valid. In the 2017 assessment, records were verified and the only ones found to be accurate were those from the three locations in the Wolkberg. In addition, the threat status at the MOME Hill location has changed, and because one location is facing extreme threats the status of this species is now more threatened. The taxon thus qualifies globally under the IUCN criteria as Endangered under criterion B. The previous assessment was based on non-verified data which included outliers to this species' distribution. For the previous assessment it was believed that the taxon occurred over a much wider range, even as far as the Soutpansberg in the North, but this seems unlikely now and the EOO has decreased to 97 km<sup>2</sup>. There are only two confirmed localities (three locations) for this species. There were no significant threats for the previous assessment. However, since then overgrazing by cattle at one locality has become a significant threat. The status change from Least Concern to Endangered is therefore a genuine change.

Distribution

Endemic to the Limpopo Province in South Africa, specifically the Wolkberg Mountains.

Decline

The habitat at MOME Hill is under severe pressure from grazing by livestock, as well as from an incorrect fire regime. Surveys in the last few years have revealed that the north facing slope of the location has been completely overgrazed, and what was once grassland is now dry open ground. Cattle were observed on the southern side inside the known AOO of this species, and it can only be assumed that the habitat will change because of this intensive grazing practice.

Population trend

Trend

There is no information currently available.

Threats

Grazing by livestock is the biggest threat at the MOME hill location, whereas Lekgalameetse is a nature reserve and currently only has game and a few cattle grazing in the area. An inappropriate fire regime could affect both the Lekgalameetse and MOME Hill locations.

Conservation

It is recommended that extra care should be taken to protect the MOME Hill location. Livestock grazing should be controlled and a suitable fire regime should be implemented.

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}
}
,@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}
}
,@book{893,
 author = {Williams, M.C.},
 publisher = {CD-ROM. Available from the author at mark.williams[at]up.ac.za.},
 title = {Butterflies and skippers of the Afrotropical Region.},
 year = {2016}
}
,]
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