Red List of South African Species

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Vulnerable (VU)
B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii)
Assessors: Corinna Bazelet Piotr Naskrecki
Reviewers: Axel Hochkirch Mark Bushell

Rationale

The Flat-necked Shieldback is Vulnerable under criteria B1 and B2 because its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are relatively small (13,000 and 32 km2, respectively), it has only been recorded in nine known locations, and area and extent of its habitat are estimated to be in decline.  

The species occurs within coastal forest and thicket mosaics of KwaZulu-Natal Province, a biome which is naturally geographically restricted and under anthropogenic stress. Because of its subtropical climate, this biome is suitable for cultivation with sugarcane and plantation forestry, contains rich mineral deposits which are mined, and is home to an expanding human population which is developing the land for residential and industrial use. 

However, several nature reserves protect populations of Flat-necked Shieldbacks, including iSimangaliso Wetland Park World Heritage Site. The last known specimen of this species was collected in 1982.

Distribution

The Flat-necked Shieldback (Arytropteris basalis) occurs only within coastal forest and thicket mosaics of KwaZulu-Natal Province, a region which naturally constitutes <0.1% of South Africa's surface area (~1000 km2).  

Population trend

Trend

No information on population sizes or trends is available.

Threats

The habitat of this species falls within a region which is experiencing anthropogenic pressure as a result of urban development and tourism, cultivation for sugarcane and plantation forestry, and mining for minerals.

Uses and trade

This species is not utilized.

Conservation

No specific conservation measures are in place for this species. 

References 

[@electronic{15431178,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.1},
 year = {2014}
}
,@article{20659659,
 author = {Rentz, D.C.F.},
 journal = {Invertebrate Taxonomy},
 pages = {223--335},
 title = {The shield-backed katydids of southern Africa: their taxonomy, ecology and relationships to the faunas of Australia and South America (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Tettigoniinae)},
 volume = {2.0},
 year = {1988}
}
,]
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