Red List of South African Species

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Endangered (EN)
B1ab(iii)
Assessors: Corinna Bazelet Piotr Naskrecki
Reviewers: Axel Hochkirch Mark Bushell

Rationale

The Striped Restio Katydid (Conocephalus vaginalis) is Endangered under criterion B1 because its extent of occurrence is relatively small (~200 km2), it is only known from two locations, and its area, extent and quality of habitat are estimated to be in decline. This species resides only within the Ceres Mountains of Western Cape Province, South Africa, within the threatened Fynbos biome. Most of the distribution range of this species has already been transformed for fruit production. In addition, the species is particularly prone to climate change since it is small bodied, flightless, has a close association with restio plants (Restionaceae), and is already distributed on high elevation mountain slopes. This combination of characters severely restricts the ability of the species to adapt or shift its distribution in response to changing environmental conditions.

Distribution

The Striped Restio Katydid is endemic to the Fynbos biome of South Africa's Western Cape Province.

Population trend

Trend

No information on population sizes or trends is available.

Threats

This species has a strong association with restio plants. Therefore, any process which threatens restios will also threaten the survival of this species. The Ceres Mountains are under intensive agricultural pressure, and most of the lowland distribution range of this species has already been transformed to fruit orchards. The remaining natural vegetation is mainly restricted to high elevation mountain slopes which are unsuitable for cultivation. Since this species is already confined to high elevations, it is particularly prone to climate change.

Uses and trade

This species is not utilized.

Conservation

No specific conservation measures are in place for this species but it is known to occur within at least one protected area, Matroosberg Private Nature Reserve.

References 

[@electronic{58124,
 address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
 author = {IUCN},
 title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2014.3},
 year = {2014}
}
,@electronic{15431178,
 address = { http://Orthoptera.SpeciesFile.org},
 author = {Eades, D.C., Otte, D., Cigliano, M.M. and Braun, H.},
 title = {Orthoptera Species File. Version 5.0/5.0},
 year = {2014}
}
,@article{20632896,
 author = {Uvarov, B.P.},
 journal = {Annals of the South African Museum},
 number = {2},
 pages = {341--357},
 title = {Notes on the types of Orthoptera described by Dr. L. Peringuey},
 volume = {25.0},
 year = {1928}
}
,@article{20632896,
 author = {Gorochov, A.J.},
 journal = {African Invertebrates},
 number = {2},
 pages = {435--446},
 title = {Katydids of the genus Ewanella and of the subgenus Megalotheca (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae)},
 volume = {50.0},
 year = {2009}
}
,]
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