Rationale

The Dilated False Shieldback is Vulnerable under criterion D2 because it has a very small and restricted population. It is only known from the holotype and only from Mariepskop Forest in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa. Despite abundant surveys of the region, this species has not been encountered elsewhere, so its EOO and AOO are estimated at 4 km². Due to its highly restricted distribution, even a small disturbance can have a detrimental effect on the survival of the species as a whole. The most likely threats to the species are deforestation, cultivation with plantation forestry or other agricultural crops or livestock grazing. Changes in microclimate or distribution of the species' food plants as a result of climate change are also a potential threat. Due to its small body size and low motility, this species cannot be expected to shift its range in response to changes in its habitat. 

Distribution

The Dilated False Shieldback (Aroegas dilatatus) is known only from the Mariepskop Forest, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa.

Habitat View more ecological information

Population trend

Trend

Threats

Due to its severely restricted distribution, the Dilated False Shieldback is particularly prone to any changes in its habitat. The most likely disturbances are deforestation and subsequent landuse transformation to plantation forestry with exotic tree species, livestock grazing or cultivation with other agricultural crops at subsistence or commercial scales. Climate change-associated variation in weather patterns may also affect the distribution of this species’ food plant and microhabitat conditions. Likely threats include droughts, floods, wildfires, and extreme temperature fluctuations. 

Uses and trade

Conservation

No specific conservation measures are in place for this species and it is not known to occur within any protected areas.