Bullacris serrata is found along the southern coastal regions of South Africa, between Cape Town and East London. It is classified as Least Concern (LC) based on its fairly wide geographic distribution. However, there is very little information regarding this species and more research is needed regarding its population trends as well as its taxonomic status, being morphologically and acoustically very similar to Bullacris discolor.
Distribution
Bullacris serrata is endemic to South Africa. It occurs along the coastline of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape Provinces. Its extent of occurrence (EOO) is ca 160,000 km².
Bullacris serrata emerges seasonally, and has been observed from September to February. The population size and trend is unknown.
Threats
Potential threats to Bullacris serrata include climate change (less rainfall resulting in loss of suitable habitat) and land use change as a result of urban development and agriculture.
Uses and trade
This species is not utilised.
Conservation
There are no conservation actions for the species, but it occurs in protected areas. Bullacris serrata is very similar to B. discolor and may represent a morphological variant of B. discolor. The two species differ in colour pattern, but are otherwise very similar in all respects (Dirsh 1965), including the male advertisement call (Gordon 2017). Genetic studies are needed to confirm the taxonomic status of B. serrata. Furthermore, research is needed into its ecology, threats and population trends.
[@electronic{2573,
address = {www.iucnredlist.org},
author = {IUCN},
title = {The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2018-1},
year = {2018}
}
,@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{100946558,
author = {Dirsh, V.M.},
journal = {Bulletin of the British Museum (Natural History) Entomology },
pages = {325--396},
title = {Revision of the family Pneumoridae (Orthoptera: Acridoidea)},
volume = {15.0},
year = {1965}
}
,@phdthesis{100946558,
author = {Gordon, M.L.},
school = {University of the Western Cape},
title = {An acoustic, genetic and morphological review of the genus Bullacris (Orthoptera; Pneumoridae)},
year = {2017}
}
,]
