Red List of South African Species

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

Rationale

The Green-kneed Seedpod Shieldback is Vulnerable under criteria B1 and B2 because its extent of occurrence and area of occupancy are relatively small (1300 and 24 km2, respectively), it has only been recorded in six known locations, and area and extent of its habitat are estimated to be in decline. 

This species occurs within the savanna/bushveld biome of Limpopo Province, South Africa, a region which is under anthropogenic stress. Because of its subtropical climate, this biome is suitable for cultivation with plantation forestry and livestock grazing, and is home to an expanding human population which is rapidly developing the land for residential and commercial use. The species is not known to occur in any protected areas and has not been collected since 1984.

Distribution

The Green-kneed Seedpod Shieldback (Thoracistus viridicrus) is endemic to Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Population trend

Trend

No information on population sizes or trends is available.

Threats

The species’ habitat  is under intensive pressure of cultivation by timber plantations, extensive livestock grazing and residential development.

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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